Giant Cell Carcinoma of the Lung Arising from a Bulla: Report of a Surgically Resected Case

Abstract

A 45-year-old male patient with giant cell carcinoma of the lung arising from a bulla is presented. The patient complained of cough and bloody sputum. Chest X-ray examination revealed an upper mediastinal shadow extending to the right thorax. Sputum cytology suggested adenocarcinoma but bronchofiberscopy failed to localize the tumor. Gallium-67 scan showed marked uptake in the tumor shadow. Right thoracotomy revealed that the tumorous shadow seen on chest X-ray was a nodal metastatic swelling. The primary tumor was hidden behind the shadow. Right upper lobectomy and dissection of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes were performed. The results of histological examination strongly suggested that the tumor arose from the inner surface of an apical bulla of the lung and it was diagnosed as giant cell carcinoma.