A case of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma associated with cystic airspace

Mamiko Iwamura, MD; Miki Nishimori, MD, PhD; Hitomi Iwasa, MD, PhD; Michimi Otani, MD; Kosuke Nakaji, MD; Noriko Nitta, MD; Kana Miyatake, MD; Rika Yoshimatsu, MD, PhD; Tomoaki Yamanishi, MD; Tomohiro Matsumoto, MD, PhD; Mitsuko Iguchi, MD, PhD; Hironobu Okada, MD, PhD; Takuji Yamagami, MD, PhD

Radiology Case Reports (Aug 2023)

A case of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma associated with cystic airspace

Mamiko Iwamura, MD,
Miki Nishimori, MD, PhD,
Hitomi Iwasa, MD, PhD,
Michimi Otani, MD,
Kosuke Nakaji, MD,
Noriko Nitta, MD,
Kana Miyatake, MD,
Rika Yoshimatsu, MD, PhD,
Tomoaki Yamanishi, MD,
Tomohiro Matsumoto, MD, PhD,
Mitsuko Iguchi, MD, PhD,
Hironobu Okada, MD, PhD,
Takuji Yamagami, MD, PhD

Affiliations

Mamiko Iwamura, MD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
Miki Nishimori, MD, PhD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan; Correspondence author.
Hitomi Iwasa, MD, PhD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
Michimi Otani, MD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
Kosuke Nakaji, MD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
Noriko Nitta, MD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
Kana Miyatake, MD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
Rika Yoshimatsu, MD, PhD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
Tomoaki Yamanishi, MD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
Tomohiro Matsumoto, MD, PhD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
Mitsuko Iguchi, MD, PhD: Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
Hironobu Okada, MD, PhD: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, Japan
Takuji Yamagami, MD, PhD: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 18, no. 8
pp. 2692 – 2696

Abstract

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Lung cancer associated with a cystic airspace is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked. Adenocarcinoma, followed by squamous cell carcinoma, is the most typical histologic type of lung cancer connected to a cystic airspace. Here we present the rare case of lung pleomorphic carcinoma associated with a cystic airspace. We encountered a 74-year-old Japanese man diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) as having a nodule outside a cystic airspace in the lung. Several previous CT images showed that the cystic airspace preceded the nodule. Postsurgery, pathology indicated a diagnosis of pleomorphic carcinoma. Since pulmonary pleomorphic carcinomas pursue an aggressive clinical course, their early detection may contribute to an improved prognosis. Our case demonstrated that pleomorphic carcinoma can arise with cystic airspaces. For early diagnosis of those aggressive lung cancers, chest physicians should carefully examine the walls of cystic airspaces on CT.

Published in Radiology Case Reports

ISSN: 1930-0433 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General): Medical physics. Medical radiology. Nuclear medicine
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/radiology-case-reports

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