Korean J Pathol.  2005 Dec;39(6):424-427.

Peripheral Micronodular Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung Unexpectedly Discovered after an Operation for Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A Case Report

• Lee HW
• Choi PJ
• Roh MS

Abstract

The occurrence of lung cancer in patients suffering with pneumothorax is very rare, especially in the absence of any radiological changes that would suggest neoplasia after the pulmonary reexpansion. We have experienced a case of a 60-year-old male who presented with lung cancer that was discovered by chance after an operation for his pneumothorax. The resected lung tissue showed a 0.3 cm-sized, peripheral squamous cell carcinoma associated with a bulla. The tumor was not macroscopically detected on the first thoracotomy that was performed for the treatment of the pneumothorax. The micronodular cancer was diagnosed after the histological examination of the resected bulla. The patient has been doing well with no evidence of tumor recurrence during the fifteen months follow-up. This case shows that we should always be vigilant for associated lung cancer when we examine the lung tissue after the operation for pneumotherax.

Keyword

Pneumothorax; Carcinoma, Squamous cell; Lung

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Lung Neoplasms
Lung*
Male
Middle Aged
Pneumothorax*
Recurrence
Thoracotomy