Pulmonary & Respiratory Medicine

Bronchial Necrosis Following Bevacizumab and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer

Abstract

Umar Osman and Christopher R Gilbert

Bevacizumab is an emerging therapy with widespread use in the treatment of advanced malignancies. We describe a young female with metastatic breast cancer that underwent stereotactic body radiation during treatment with bevacizumab after the discovery of a new metastatic focus within the lung parenchyma. Approximately one year later she presented with a progressive foul smelling cough and dyspnea. Bronchoscopy revealed extensive necrotic destruction of the bronchus intermedius. Airway necrosis may be a rare adverse event associated with the use of bevacizumab, especially with concomitant radiotherapy.