UKMLA PLAB AMC USMLE Prometric MCQ

Question:
Pulmonary abnormalities are a known side effect of several cytotoxic drugs. Which of the following cytotoxic drugs is most likely to lead to adverse pulmonary effects ?

a) busulfan
b) 5-fluorouracil
c) taxoids
d) cyclopentenyl cytosine
e) trastuzumab

correct answer : A

Explanation:

There are at least 40 drugs which may produce adverse pulmonary effects. The more common ones are bleomycin, busulfan, mitomycin, BCNU, arabinoside, IL2 and methotrexate. The clinical features are dyspnoea, cough, pulmonary infiltrates, basal inspiratory crackles, and, rarely, pleural friction rub, pleural effusions, pulmonary fibrosis and eosinophilia.