A 40-year-old man, Mr. Wei, had always been strong from years of heavy-lifting work, but over the past two years he noticed shortness of breath, dizziness, and severe back pain. Chest scans revealed white shadows in his lungs, prompting a referral to Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital. After extensive testing, he was diagnosed with the extremely rare Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP), a condition where protein builds up in the alveoli, blocking oxygen exchange.
To treat him, Dr. Lan Zhujin and a multidisciplinary team performed a Whole Lung Lavage (WLL), or “lung washing,” removing the protein deposits under general anesthesia. Mr. Wei recovered quickly and was discharged three days later, relieved and breathing easily for the first time in years.
PAP is rare—affecting roughly one in a million—and often misdiagnosed because early symptoms are subtle. Whole Lung Lavage is currently the most effective treatment, with a low risk of complications when performed by a skilled team.
Dr. Lan urges anyone experiencing unexplained shortness of breath, chest tightness, or fatigue to seek early evaluation. Prompt diagnosis and intervention can preserve lung function and quality of life.
