Amylase-producing lung cancer

A bronchioloalveolar carcinoma of lung associated with hyperamylasemia occurring in a 40-year-old woman is described. Another 13 cases of such a tumor from the English literature are reviewed. A majority of the lung tumors associated with hyperamylasemia were adenocarcinomas. When the amylase isoenzymes were determined, the amylase appeared to be salivary-gland type (S-type). Electron microscopic studies had revealed membrane-bound electron-dense granules within the tumor cells.