Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports (Mar 2022)

SMARCA4-Deficient Undifferentiated Tumor of Lung Mass—A Rare Tumor With the Rarer Occurrence of Brain Metastasis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

  • Ruchi Yadav MD,
  • Lishi Sun MD,
  • Muhammad Salyana MD,
  • Minkin Eric MD,
  • Vladimir Gotlieb MD,
  • Jen C. Wang MD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/23247096221074864
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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Among thoracic tumors, these include subsets of a relatively newly described and yet to be fully characterized tumor entity: SMARCA4-deficient Undifferentiated Tumor (SMARCA4-dUT). Mutations of SMARCA4 (SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily A, member 4) gene and loss of BRG1 (Brahma-related gene-1) is the underlying molecular hallmark of SMARCA4-dUT. They mostly involved the mediastinum, lung, and/or pleura showing undifferentiated round cell or rhabdoid morphology associated with aggressive clinical behavior. The pathogenesis of these tumors is still not clear. Morphologically, SMARAC4-dUT is differentiated from SMARCA4-dNSCLC by the presence of squamous and solid components in the latter. Immunohistochemically SMARC4-dUT has characteristic loss of SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 and strong expression of SOX2, CD34, and SALL4. Common sites of metastasis include lymph nodes, bones, and adrenal glands but rarely brain metastasis. We present a unique and rare case of a 76-year-old male with a right lung mass with documented pathology of SMARCA4-dUT and was found to have multiple brain metastases.