Treatment of bronchorrhea by corticosteroids in a case of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma producing CA19-9.
A case of gastrointestinal cancer-associated antigen (CA19-9)-positive bronchioloalveolar carcinoma accompanied by bronchorrhea and respiratory failure successfully treated with corticosteroids is reported. The patient was treated with pulse methylprednisolone at a dose of 1,000 mg/day for three days, followed by oral prednisolone (60 mg/day). Within 2 days, the sputum volume decreased from >100 ml/day to 20 ml/day and it was finally controlled to 0-10 ml/day. The reduction in the sputum volume was associated with alleviation of dyspnea and hypoxemia. The levels of CA19-9 in the serum and the sputum were extremely high and an immunocytochemical study showed that the tumor cells were stained by CA19-9 antibody. This case demonstrates the therapeutic value of corticosteroids in the treatment of bronchorrhea in subjects with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma.
Nakajima
Takeshi
T
Department of Internal Medicine, Ichikawa General Hospital, Tokyo Dental College, Ichikawa.
Terashima
Takeshi
T
Nishida
Jiro
J
Onoda
Masami
M
Koide
Osamu
O
D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009093:Mucus
D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008775:Methylprednisolone