Characteristics and Follow-Up of Organizing Pneumonia Associated with Haematological Malignancies

Abstract

Background Organizing pneumonia (OP) is a secondary process in many diseases. Due to its low incidence and indistinct symptoms, there is limited information on OP associated with haematological malignancies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to discuss the characteristics and prognosis of OP associated with haematological malignancies. Methods We observed and analysed pathologically confirmed OP cases associated with haematological malignancies in a hospital record database and excluded cases of OP with known causes, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, transplantation and infection. Results There were five patients with OP underlying only haematological malignancies, including one case each of the following: myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myelogenous leukaemia, multiple myeloma, aplastic anaemia, and T cell lymphoma. Radiological findings did not show a distinct pattern, and two cases mimicked pulmonary aspergillosis with ground-glass opacity (GGO). The diagnosis of OP was confirmed by minimal invasive biopsy. Although all patients developed severe cases, steroids yielded favourable outcomes. Conclusion This study demonstrates that haematological malignancies may be a cause of OP and that minimal invasive biopsy may be an effective and safe method to confirm the diagnosis. Although OP associated with haematological malignancies may more frequently develop into severe cases, the OP lesions were steroid-responsive during follow-up.

The relationship between organising pneumonia and invasive mould disease in patients with haematologic malignancy

“…In this study, 15 patients were identified as OP and 5 (33%) of them died. The overall mortality of OP in patients with haematologic malignancy varies widely, ranging from 19% to 67%, 8,27–29 but is generally higher than in patients with other underlying diseases 27,30 . The higher mortality in patients with haematologic malignancy is probably multifactorial.…”

“…[3][4][5] Several previous studies attempting to confirm histopathological diagnosis in patients suspected to have invasive pulmonary mould disease have reported the presence of organising pneumonia (OP). [6][7][8] Numerous publications have reported OP to be associated with infectious diseases. [9][10][11][12] However, OP associated with invasive mould disease has only been sporadically reported.…”