Idiopathic pneumonia syndrome is a set of pneumonia-like symptoms that occur with no sign of infection in the lung. Idiopathic pneumonia syndrome is a serious condition that can occur after a stem cell transplant. It occurs between 2.2 and 15 percent of hematopoietic stem cell transplants. The incubation period ranges between 4 and 106 days, but mostly is about 22 days from transplant.

Symptoms

The symptoms are like pneumonia, and include fever,

chills Chills is a feeling of coldness occurring during a high fever, but sometimes is also a common symptom which occurs alone in specific people. It occurs during fever due to the release of cytokines and prostaglandins as part of the inflammatory r ...

coughing A cough is a sudden expulsion of air through the large breathing passages that can help clear them of fluids, irritants, foreign particles and microbes. As a protective reflex, coughing can be repetitive with the cough reflex following three phas ...

, and breathing problems. Lack of oxygen may also occur.

Risk factors

Risk factors for IPS can be old age, graft vs host disease, multi organ failure, and multiple organ failure.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Treatment is only supportive, with steroids showing no effect. The need for mechanical ventilation is indicative of a poor prognosis. Steroids are often used, though often without effect.

References

Idiopathic pneumonia syndrome
entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms {{Pneumonia Pneumonia Syndromes affecting the lung