Cystic bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma.
Bronchioloalveolar cell carcinomas (BACs), a subset of primary lung adenocarcinomas, are uncommon. Similar to other non-small cell lung cancers, patients with BAC are usually 40-70 years of age. Distinguishing features relative to other non-small cell lung cancers include occurrence in young patients, a higher relative predominance in women, and weaker association with smoking. Histologically, they are a diverse group of malignancies that grow in a lepidic manner. Common radiologic presentations of BAC include a solitary nodule, airspace disease, and multiple nodules. Rare manifestations include cystic and cavitary disease. We report a case of a young woman with BAC that manifested as a chronic cough and bilateral air-containing opacities, initially misinterpreted as infection. Knowledge of the spectrum of radiologic manifestations of BAC and correlation with clinical history are important in suggesting the diagnosis and preventing misinterpretation.
Sabloff
Bradley S
BS
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. bsabloff@di.mdacc.tmc.edu
Wistuba
Ignacio I
II
Erasmus
Jeremy J
JJ
D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*