Pulmonary blastoma: A rare, unexpected diagnosis mimicking hydatid cyst on radiology

Abstract

Pulmonary blastomas (PB) are rare, aggressive tumours which constitute <0.1% of resected lung cancers. The fifth edition of WHO classification of thoracic tumors categorises them under sarcomatoid carcinomas along with pleomorphic carcinoma and carcinosarcoma. PBs are large and aggressive tumors that portend a poor prognosis with limited response to standard chemotherapy and chiefly occur in the fourth to fifth decade of life. Here, we present a unique case of a PB with extensive cystic degeneration in a young female, mimicking a hydatid cyst.

Keywords

• beta-catenin
• immunohistochemistry
• pulmonary blastoma
• sarcomatoid carcinoma