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Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung diagnosed by cytology?: A diagnostic dilemma
Author(s) -
Shelton David A.,
Rana Durgesh N.,
Holbrook Miles,
Taylor Paul,
Bailey Simon
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.21664
Subject(s) - medicine , adenosquamous carcinoma , pathology , adenocarcinoma , cytology , carcinoma , lung , biopsy , cytopathology , lung cancer , large cell , immunohistochemistry , cancer
Adenosquamous cell carcinomas of the lung are rare tumours and are associated with a poor prognosis compared to other non‐small cell carcinomas. We report a case of a solitary lung carcinoma evaluated by bronchial brush and lavage cytology, bronchial biopsy and pleural fluid cytology. Cytological assessment of the pleural fluid demonstrated non‐small cell carcinoma and immunohistochemical staining confirmed a metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. The bronchial brush and lavage specimens, however, demonstrated the cytomorphological features of squamous cell carcinoma, which was confirmed by the bronchial biopsy. The finding of a mixed squamous and glandular component predicts a poor prognosis for this patient. The identification of a squamous component with the non‐small cell carcinoma is important as this excludes the patient from anti‐VEGF monoclonal antibody treatment due to the increased risk of haemorrhage. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.