Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma; report of a case

We report a case of a 64-year-old man with pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung and thymic cyst. He was admitted to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow observed on chest X-ray. Computed tomography (CT) showed a mass lesion located in the right upper lobe and a non-invasive anterior mediastinal tumor adjacent to the left brachiocepharic vein. On enhanced CT, the lung mass showed central low-attenuation areas with a substantial enhancement in the periphery. Preoperative transbronchial blushing cytology of the mass revealed adenocarcinoma. With a diagnosis of primary lung cancer (cT3N0M0) and mediastinal tumor, an operation was performed through a median sternotomy. The mediastinal tumor was excised and a right upper lobectomy and were also accomplished, because the lung tumor did not show adhesion or pleural invasion. Histopathologic examination of the resected specimen revealed that the lung tumor composed of a mixture of spindle and giant cell features and contained a component of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. This finding yielded a pathological diagnosis of pleomorphic carcinoma (pT2N0M0). The mediastinal tumor was diagnosed as thymic cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful, and he is currently well 6 months after surgery.     

A resected case of thymolipoma]

We reported a resected case of thymolipoma, which has been hardly experienced. The patient was 21-year-old female and consulted a doctor for general fatigue. Chest roentgenogram revealed a mass-like shadow at the right lower mediastinum, which was suspected mediastinal tumor. The mass of right anteroinferior mediastinum, which was clearly shown by chest CT scan and MRI, was continued to the right lobe of the thymus. Under a diagnosis of anterior mediastinal tumor, operation was carried out. The tumor, which was 10 x 8 x 7 cm in diameter and 160 g in weight, was removed together with right lobe of the thymus. Histological diagnosis of thymolipoma was obtained from the resected specimen.     

Mediastinal lymph-node carcinoma with no apparent primary lesion; report of a case

A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our department because of a chest X-ray showing a mass shadow about 40 mm in diameter in the right side of the middle of the mediastinum. A chest computed tomography(CT) scan demonstrated a large tumor, adherent to the superior vena cava and right pulmonary artery. No other metastases and no primary tumor were found. The tumor was resected through median sternotomy. Intraoperative frozen section analysis showed that the mediastinal tumor was a metastatic lymph-node carcinoma. Postoperative examination, too, did not detect the primary lesion. Radiotherapy was given after the operation. This case was thought to be a very rare case of T0N2M0 lung cancer or primary mediastinal lymph-node carcinoma (yolk sac tumor).     

Mediastinal mature teratoma perforated into the pericardial sac: a case report

Mature teratomas occasionally rupture into adjacent organs such as lung, bronchus, mediastinum and pericardial sac. However, perforation into the pericardial sac is rare. We experienced a case of mediastinal mature teratoma perforated into the pericardial sac. A 16-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to sudden severe anterior chest pain. Chest X-ray showed a mass shadow in the right middle lung field. Chest CT scan and MRI demonstrated a heterogeneous mass with fat component in the right anterior mediastium adjacent to the pericardium. Some squamous cells were obtained from the mass by CT guided percutaneous needle biopsy. Operation was performed with the diagnosis of mediastinal teratoma. The mass adhered to the pericardium and turbid pericardial effusion was noted. The mass was removed with the pericardium. The mass was 9 x 6.5 x 6 cm in size, which contained yellow sebaceous material and a tuft of white hair. The pathological diagnosis of the mass was mature cystic teratoma with perforation into the pericardial sac.     

A case of invasive thymoma which had grown in the SVC via left innominate vein through thymic vein]

A 66-year-old male was referred to our department with mediastinal tumor. The chest X-ray and the chest CT showed a large tumor adjacent to pulmonary artery and descending aorta. Cavogram revealed a filling defect of the SVC. He underwent complete resection of the tumor, resection of the SVC and reconstruction of the SVC with ringed PTFE. The main tumor was 12 x 7 cm in size and the tumor in the SVC was 20 x 15 mm in size. Histopathological findings showed a lymphocytic thymoma. Compact invaded nest of tumor cell was found in the innominate vein. The tumor in the SVC was invasive to the intima of the SVC, but its media and adventure were intact. This case is rare among patients with invasive thymoma as far as the growth is concerned.     

Two cases of thymic carcinoid

Two cases of thymic carcinoid tumor were reported. Case 1 was 64-year-old male who was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of dyspnea. He was proved to have a huge anterior mediastinal tumor by chest X-ray and chest CT. After radiation therapy, the tumor was resected on February 5, 1981. Pericardium was partially resected and showed tumor invasion. Sixty-four days after operation, he died due to respiratory insufficiency. Case 2 was 71-year-old male who was pointed out to have an abnormal shadow by X-ray mass screening and was admitted to our hospital. Chest X-ray and chest CT revealed the presence of an anterior mediastinal tumor. Resection of the tumor was done on February 13, 1986. Although the tumor showed mediastinal lymph node metastasis and invaded to the pericardium and the right lung, it was resected completely. Cytological examination of pericardial effusion showed tumor cells at the time of resection. He is now quite well and without any evidence of recurrence 3 year and 1 months after operation. Histopathologically, the tumors of two cases consisted of relatively uniform cells with abundant clear or slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm and regularly and centrally located nuclei. Mitotic figures were occasionally seen in both cases. Many tumor cells were positively to Grimelius stain. On the other hand, Fontana-masson stain was negative. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positively stained with anti-NSE and anti-GRP antibodies in Case 1 and with anti-NSE antibody in Case 2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mediastinal lipoma: Report of a case

We experienced a case of mediastinal lipoma, which is considered to be a relatively rare disease. A 3-year-old girl was referred to Gifu University hospital because of fever and an abnormal shadow on her chest X-ray. The chest X-ray clearly showed a well-delineated tumor shadow which seemed to oppress the diaphragm and the right atrium in the right lower lung area. A computed tomogram (CT) of the chest showed a homogeneous mass localized on the right diaphragm and adjoining the right anterior chest wall and heart. The mass showed a fat density measuring about-100 HU. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a high-intensity mass which was almost the same level as the subcutaneous fat on both the T₁-weighted and T₂-weighted images. Thoracotomy was performed and a fatty tumor was found. It arose from the right side of the pericardium and adjoined the diaphragm, the anterior chest wall, and the thymus. There was no adhesion between the tumor and the surrounding organs. It was resected easily and its contents were yellowish and homogeneous. The patient made an uneventful recovery and was discharged 10 days after the operation. Light microscopy showed a lipoma consisting of mature adipose tissue and no malignancy was found.     

A case of chondroblastoma originating from the right 6th rib

Chondroblastomas are rare neoplasms, and comprise 0.5-1% of histologically proved primary bone tumors. We report a case of the tumor originating form the right 6th rib. The patient, a 15-year-old female, was admitted because the abnormal shadow was found on routine chest X-ray film. It was suspected to be the posterior mediastinal tumor based on the chest X-ray, CT and MRI. In surgery, the tumor was 4.0 x 4.0 x 2.5 cm in size and fixed on the rib, but not invasive to other tissue. The content was rough and soft granuloma like. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of chondroblastoma of the rib. The patient is doing well without symptoms of recurrence fifteen months after surgery.     

A case of complete mediastinal thyroid cancer: aberrant goiter]

A 65-year-old man was admitted with the chief complaints of hoarseness and an abnormal mass shown by chest x-ray films. CT scan, MRI, thyroid scintigram, and angiogram showed a right upper mediastinal tumor. This was histologically diagnosed as malignant mediastinal goiter by percutaneous needle biopsy. Operation was performed using a collar incision and median sternotomy. The tumor was located in right upper mediastinum and had no relation to the cervical thyroid gland. It was 7 x 5 x 3.5 cm in size. Histological examination revealed papillary adenocarcinoma of the thyroid gland. To our knowledge, 17 cases of complete mediastinal malignant goiter have been reported in Japan, including our case. These 17 patients are reviewed with regard to their clinical features in this article.     

Combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma

We report a case of combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. A 78-year-old man with vertigo was referred to our hospital where chest X-ray revealed a tumor shadow in the right lung. A transbronchial lung biopsy specimen verified a diagnosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma (cT1N0M0). Right lower lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection (#7,8,9) was performed. A postoperative histological diagnosis was combined large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of a component of squamous cell carcinoma [pT4 (pm) N2M0]. The patient received concurrent chemoradiotherapy due to upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis 4 months after surgery. The chemoradiotherapy well responded and the patient remains well 9 months after surgery.     

Induction chemoradiotherapy in small adenocarcinoma of the lung with bulky mediatinal lymph node metastasis

A 56-year-old man, who visited our hospital due to chest pain, was pointed out a large tumor, 60 mm in diameter, on the left superior mediastinum on the chest computed tomography (CT) scan. He was diagnosed as having mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis of adenocarcinoma through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) biopsy. He received induction chemoradiotherapy: cisplatin and paclitaxel were administered once per week for 2 weeks, and radiotherapy was simultaneously performed. No serious adverse reactions were noted. The ipsilateral mediastinal lymph nodes dissection was performed. Intraoperative frozen section analysis showed a small nodule in the left upper lobe, 5 mm in diameter, was adenocarcinoma. He was finally diagnosed as having mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis from the small adenocarcinoma of the lung, and left upper lobectomy was performed. Histopathological examination of the mediastinal lymph nodes showed no evidence of viable maligmant cell. Induction chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and paclitaxel might be effective treatment for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.     

Multiple myeloma presenting as a solitary tumor of the rib; report of a case

A 78-year-old man complained of right lateral chest pain. Chest X-ray showed an abnormal shadow in the right upper lung field and chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed a lateral chest wall tumor sorrouding the right 4th rib. Bone scintigraphy revealed only one lesion in the right 4th rib. Chest wall tumor resection was done. Histological analysis of the tumor specimen showed plasmacytoma. After the operation, the diagnosis of multiple myeloma was established by demonstration of myeloma by a bone marrow biopsy. Multiple myeloma should be taken into account as one of causes of a chest wall tumor even if it is a solitary tumor of the rib.     

Mediastinal aberrant goiter; report of a case

A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated an anterior mediastinal tumor. The tumor was resected completely through a median sternotomy. The tumor was dissected successfully from the surrounding vessels in spite of the heavy adhesion to them. The blood supply of the tumor was from a branch of the brachiocephalic artery. The tumor was 9 x 8 x 3 cm in size, and was diagnosed as an aberrant mediastinal goiter since it showed no communication to the thyroid gland. An aberrant mediastinal goiter is a quite rare entity of diseases and its removal through the neck would result in uncontrolled blood loss because its blood supply usually derives from intrathoracic vessels.     

Mediastinal mature teratoma perforating into the lung with elevated serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels; report of a case

A 17-year-old woman was suddenly seized with anterior chest pain and admitted to our hospital. Chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a mass shadow in the left middle lung field associated with the left pleural effusion and high serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) levels (58.5 U/ml). We performed a total resection of the tumor with adherent parts of the left lung. The tumor was 6.5 x 3. 8 x 2.9 cm in size, and was made up of soft tissues, fluid and cystic components. The histological diagnosis was a mature cystic teratoma with perforation into the lung, which contained pancreatic tissues, hepatic cells, bronchial epithelium, serous glands and so on. The levels of fluid amylase and CA 19-9 were high. We report mediastinal mature teratoma perforating into the lung and discuss the mechanism of perforation.     

A case of typical carcinoid accompanied with left atrium myxoma

A 78-year-old female was admitted to Shizuoka red cross hospital because of an abnormal shadow at the right upper lung field on chest X-ray film. A left atrium myxoma was detected at chest CT scan after admission. Though the lung tumor was well defined and hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes were not swollen at CT scan, the tumor was suspected a small cell carcinoma at the result of trans-bronchoscopic biopsy. Firstly we performed removal of the left atrium myxoma, and two months later, we performed thoracotomy and partial resection of the right upper lobe. The lung tumor was finally diagnosed as a typical carcinoid. We have followed the patient for about 32 months after the operation and there is no evidence of tumor recurrence.     

Lung cancer with both sarcoid reaction and metastasis in the mediastinal lymph nodes; report of a case

A 66-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for detailed investigation of an abnormal shadow on his chest X-ray. Chest radiography and computed tomography(CT) of the chest showed mediastinal lymphadenopathy and a tumor shadow in the left upper lobe. Biopsy of the mediastinal lymph nodes by mediastinoscopy showed that sarcoid nodules existed in all the biopsies nodes. Therefore, the lymphadenopathy was thought to be sarcoidosis or sarcoid reaction accompanied with lung cancer. Left upper lobectomy and dissection of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes were performed. Although sarcoid nodules were seen in all the dissected lymph nodes, the cancer involved #5 and #14 lymph nodes. He died of brain metastasis 10 months after surgery.     

A case of G-CSF-producing large cell carcinoma of the lung with gastric metastasis

We report a rare surgically-treated case of G-CSF-producing large cell carcinoma of the lung with gastric metastasis. A 65-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of fever, anemia and epigastralgia. Chest X-ray examination and CT scanning revealed a round mass shadow (8 cm) in contact with the chest wall in the right upper lung field and metastasis to the mediastinal lymph nodes. Laboratory examination showed a WBC of 16,800/mm3, CRP of 11.6 mg/dl, and a serum G-CSF of 90 pg/ml. Upper gastrointestinal series and gastroscopy showed an ulcerating submucosal tumorous lesion in the pyloric antrum. The lung carcinoma was treated by right upper lobectomy with chest wall resection. After 1 month, gastrectomy was performed. After the operation, the WBC normalized, and the CRP and serum G-CSF levels decreased. Histopathological examination demonstrated a poorly differentiated large cell carcinoma in the lung and a metastatic lesion in the stomach. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-G-CSF mono-clonal antibody showed negative results in the lung but positive results in the stomach. He was discharged 3 weeks after gastrectomy but died of aggravation of the general condition associated with local recurrence in the chest wall 2 months after discharge.     

A case report of so-called solitary fibrous tumor of the mediastinum]

A 52-year-old house wife was admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of a impending rupture of the aneurysm of the ascending aorta. Chest X-ray showed an anterosuperior mediastinal mass which extended into right hemithorax and space between ascending aorta and superior vena cava on CT and MRI. Median sternotomy showed a large mass, arising from the left lobe of the thymus covered with mediastinal pleura and projecting into the right pleural cavity with no dissemination. The tumor was excised with the thymic glands together with the involved ascending aorta and pericardium. It was encapsulated tumor, 10 x 9 x 8 cm in size, 420 g in weight, and revealed central necrosis with bleeding on the cut surface. The pathological findings showed spindle cell tumor with high mitotic activity, immunoreactivity for vimentin, but not for keratin, and no ultrastructural evidence of micro villi. So far as the Japanese literature about the so-called solitary fibrous tumor of the mediastinum is concerned, this is considered to be the first case in our country.     

Pulmonary hemangiopericytoma preoperatively diagnosed as mediastinal tumor; report of a case

An asymptomatic 67-year-old female was admitted because of an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray. Computed tomography (CT) revealed that a well-marginated round mass with low density, about 4 cm in diameter, was located in the right hilum. The border was enhanced at contrast material-enhanced CT. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [T2-weighted] showed the lesion as a high intensity tumor. Because of the extra-pleural sign on CT and normal results of broncho-fiberscopic (BFS) examination, mediastinal tumor was suspected. We performed thoracoscopic surgery and revealed that the tumor was in lung, not in mediastinum. Biopsy of the easy-bleeding tumor was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was hemangiopericytoma. There was no remarkable change for 1 years. Hemangiopericytomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of well-marginated masses. Thoracoscopic surgery is the useful methods to diagnose the hemangiopericytoma.     

Large cell carcinoma with chest wall infiltration combined with contralateral giant bulla

A 48-year-old male consulted the department of respiratory medicine for right precordial pain occurring from the beginning of May 2004. Chest X-ray indicated a tumorous shadow in the right upper lung field and a large left lung cyst. Although chest wall infiltration was suspected based on computed tomography (CT) demonstrating a mass lesion in the right S2, there was no significant swelling of the mediastinal lymph node. On the left side, the lung was markedly compressed by a large cyst in the left upper lobe. Since bronchoscopy failed to establish a definitive diagnosis, the patient was referred to our department for surgery based on a suspicion of malignant pulmonary tumor. Considering both the risk of perioperative complications due to the left cystic lesion at surgery for right lung lesion and the improvement of respiratory function by removing cystic lesion of the left lung, the left side operation was preceded by the right side. Although postoperative examinations of respiratory function did not demonstrate any particular improvement, the results of selective right pulmonary artery obstruction test supported the possibility of pulmonary lobectomy. Therefore, the right upper lobectomy and ND 2a mediastinal dissection combined with chest wall resection was subsequently performed. Postoperative pathological diagnosis revealed that the tumor was a stage IIB large cell carcinoma of pT3N0M0 with costal infiltration.