[Analysis of 19 cases of primary pulmonary sarcoma].
OBJECTIVE
Primary pulmonary sarcoma (PPS) is a rare malignant tumor that originates from the mesenchymal tissue of the lungs. PPS is often easily misdiagnosed. This study aims to explore the clinical characteristics of PPS and provide a more comprehensive reference for the early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.


METHODS
The 1996 to 2011 clinical data of 19 cases with PPS in West China Hospital were presented, along with literature review.


RESULTS
A total of 19 patients, which include 12 males, were presented in this study. Patients with age between 41 and 68 years accounted for 57.9% (the mean age was 41 years). The main clinical manifestations were cough, expectoration, and hemoptysis. Based on the imaging results, spiculation was found in eight cases and lobulation in five cases. The main pathologic types were synovial sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Seventeen patients underwent surgery, whereas one patient underwent chemotherapy. All 17 cases with a median survival of 18 months were investigated after being discharged (follow-up rate: 89.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical and imaging features of PPS are not characteristic. Thus, PPS is easily misdiagnosed and can cause high mortality among patients.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Kun
K
Liu
Weimin
W
Li
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult