Open AccessPleural small cell carcinoma with massive pleural effusion
Author(s) -
Jong Geol Jang,
Min Hye Jang,
JaeJun Ahn
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.59
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1536-5964
pISSN - 0025-7974
DOI - 10.1097/md.0000000000018251
Subject(s) - medicine , pleural effusion , radiology , mesothelioma , pleural disease , lung , lung cancer , biopsy , effusion , respiratory disease , pathology , surgery
Rationale: Small cell carcinoma (SCC) occurs mostly in the lung, and small cell lung cancer accounts for 13% of newly diagnosed lung cancers. Only 2.5% of SCC occurs in extrapulmonary sites, and SCC of pleural origin is especially very uncommon. Patient concerns: An 85-year-old man presenting with progressive dyspnea for more than 7 days. Diagnoses: Computed tomography scan of the chest showed massive pleural effusion and diffuse nodular thickening of the pleura on the right chest. Sonography-guided needle biopsy of the pleural mass was performed and histologic and immunohistochemical findings revealed SCC. Since no parenchymal lung lesion was observed, the patient was finally diagnosed with SCC of the pleura (SCCP). Interventions: Due to the patient's old age and poor performance status, chemotherapy was not performed and only drainage of pleural effusion was conducted for symptom relief. Outcomes: Dyspnea improved after pleural effusion drainage. The patient was discharged and transferred to a local medical center for hospice care. Lessons: Although primary SCCP is extremely rare, SCCP should also be considered as well as mesothelioma in case of presence of a pleural-based mass with massive pleural effusion.