Lenvatinib-induced Interstitial Pneumonia in a Patient with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Intern Med. 2022 Apr 15;61(8):1211-1217. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.7300-21. Epub 2021 Sep 18.

Abstract

Lenvatinib is a multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor available for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We herein report an 84-year-old-man with interstitial pneumonia caused by lenvatinib. Four months after the start of lenvatinib administration for HCC, chest computed tomography revealed bilateral ground-glass opacity. However, he continued to take lenvatinib for four more months until he complained of dyspnea on exertion. This is a case of lenvatinib-induced interstitial pneumonia that progressed relatively slowly with a long asymptomatic period despite the appearance of pneumonia on image findings.

Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma; interstitial pneumonia; lenvatinib.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial* / chemically induced
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial* / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Phenylurea Compounds / adverse effects
  • Quinolines* / adverse effects

Substances

  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Quinolines
  • lenvatinib