Pulmonary infiltrates in the cancer patient. New approaches to an old problem.

A variety of etiologies may produce pulmonary infiltrates in a patient with cancer. Infectious etiologies, of an ever-increasing number, are always of paramount concern due to their high mortality in this patient population. Patients may be rendered immunosuppressed for prolonged periods of time and therefore are highly susceptible to infection. We present an overview of the many causes of pulmonary infiltrates in the cancer patient and an approach to diagnosis and treatment.