A case of nonclassifiable interstitial pneumonia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Despite the improvements in supportive care, early and late hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-related complications still remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary complications occur in 40∼60% of patients who undergo allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Late-onset noninfectious pulmonary complications can occur months and even years after transplantation. Interstital lung disease has also been reported to be a late post-transplant complication. Exposure to cytotoxic drugs and/or irradiation has been implicated as a cause of pulmonary- toxicity including pulmonary fibrosis. We report a case of an 18-year-old female with non-classifiable interstitial pneumonia that manifested eight and a half years after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The condition worsened rapidly and the patient eventually died.