Sarcomatoid Carcinoma of the Lung Presenting as Localized Bronchiectasis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

• Published in: Respiratory medicine case reports Vol. 24; pp. 143 - 146
• Main Authors: Rajdev, Kartikeya, Siddiqui, Abdul Hasan, Ibrahim, Uroosa, Agarwal, Shivika, Ding, Juan, Chalhoub, Michel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-01-2018; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biphasic; Bronchiectasis; Carcinoma; Case Report; Sarcomatoid; Biphasic; Sarcomatoid; Bronchiectasis; Carcinoma
• ISSN: 2213-0071; 2213-0071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2018.05.016

Sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC) of the lung is a rare and aggressive biphasic lung tumor with a 5-year survival of 20%. Early detection and treatment is the only way to improve outcomes in patients with SC of the lung. We present a case of primary SC identified early based on high suspicion. A 56-year-old female with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presented with hemoptysis and exertional dyspnea. Chest X-ray revealed right upper lobe (RUL) opacity and patient was started on antibiotics for pneumonia. Due to the persistence of hemoptysis, a computed tomography scan was performed which showed RUL bronchiectasis with scattered nodular opacities suggestive of an infectious process. The patient underwent bronchoscopy which revealed a pedunculated mass in the RUL biopsy of which was consistent with poorly differentiated SC. Positron-emission tomography scan revealed Flourdeoxyglucose-avid right peri-hilar mass and another nodule in the RUL. The patient was not a surgical candidate because of severe COPD and was started on chemoradiation therapy. SC of the lung can have various presentations and is usually detected at a later stage and hence, difficult to treat. Our case highlights the importance of critical thinking and prompt diagnostic evaluation in high-risk patients with localized bronchiectasis even without an obvious lung mass on imaging.