Tuberc Respir Dis.  2012 Feb;72(2):203-206.

Adenocarcinoma of the Lung Progressing to Multiple Cystic Lesions in a 29-Year-Old Man

• Lee HS
• Jeon JW
• Kim JH
• Ju HU
• Bae JG
• Min YJ
• Ahn JJ
• Seo KW
• Jegal Y
• Kwon WJ
• Cha HJ
• Ra SW

Abstract

Cystic lesions or progressive cystic changes in adenocarcinoma of the lung have rarely been reported. We report a case of lung adenocarcinoma that progressed from ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and consolidations or nodules to extensive cystic lesions during 12 months in a young adult patient. A 29-year-old male was initially diagnosed with primary lung adenocarcinoma by transbronchial lung biopsy of the right lower lobe and lung to lung metastasis in both lungs according to imaging findings. The initial chest computed tomography (CT) scans showed multifocal GGOs, consolidations, and nodules in both lungs. Despite treatment with palliative chemotherapy, the patient's follow-up CT scans showed multiple, cystic changes in both lungs and that the lesions had progressed more extensively. He died of hypoxic respiratory failure one year after his diagnosis.

Keyword

Adenocarcinoma; Cysts; Radiology

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Adult
Biopsy
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Lung
Lung Neoplasms
Male
Neoplasm Metastasis
Respiratory Insufficiency
Thorax
Young Adult
Adenocarcinoma
Lung Neoplasms

Figure

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  Figure 1 Serial CXR and CT images. (A) Initial CXR and CT show ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and consolidations in the right lower lobe as well as ill-defined, centrilobular nodules in both lungs. (B) Follow-up CXR and CT obtained 6 months later show extension of the lesions and newly developed small cysts in consolidation of the right lower lobe. (C, D) Follow-up CXR and CT images obtained 10 months and 12 months after the initial CXR and CT show a gradually increasing extent of dense consolidations and cysts in both lungs. CXR: chest radiographies; CT: computed tomography.

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  Figure 2 Histologic findings of a transbronchial lung biopsy show well-differentiated adenocarcinomas with a papillary to solid-growth pattern (hematoxylin and eosin stain, ×200).

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