Chemotherapy in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and small-cell lung cancer with poor lung function

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease with unclear pathogenesis. IPF is considered as a risk factor for lung cancer. Compared to other lung cancers, small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) has a lower incidence, but has a more aggressive course. Patients with IPF and SCLC have a lower survival rate, more difficult treatment, and poorer prognosis. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1 was of a 66-year-old man with IPF for 5 years, who was admitted to our hospital for dyspnea. Case 2 was of a 68-year-old woman, who presented with chest pains, cough, and dyspnea. Both patients had extremely poor lung function. High-resolution computed tomography and pathology revealed that both patients had IPF and SCLC. Chemotherapy comprising nedaplatin (80 mg/m(2)) and etoposide (100 mg for 5 days) was initiated for both patients. Antifibrotic agents were continued during the chemotherapeutic regimen. Both patients showed improvement in their condition after treatment. CONCLUSION: The favorable outcomes in these 2 cases suggests that chemotherapy is worth considering in the management of patients having SCLC and IPF with poor lung function.