Abstract
The differential diagnosis of subacute respiratory failure in the immunosuppressed cancer patient is extensive, and includes primarily infectious, thromboembolic and cardiac disorders. Chemotherapeutic drug reactions and progression of underlying malignancy must be readily considered in this population as well. We describe a case of delayed hypersensitivity pneumonitis requiring mechanical ventilation secondary to paclitaxel in a patient with coexistent intrathoracic spread of ovarian cancer, a previously unreported entity. Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in marked clinical and radiographic improvement.