A Case of Colloid Adenocarcinoma of the Lung that Grew Slowly during 4 Years

Abstract

Primary lung colloid adenocarcinoma is a rare histologic type of adenocarcinoma and accounts for 0.24 percent of all lung cancers. We report a case of primary lung colloid adenocarcinoma diagnosed by intraoperative frozen section diagnosis.

A 63-year-old man underwent an excisional biopsy because of an increased abnormal chest shadow by computed tomography that had been pointed out for 4 years. We strongly suspected the lung tumor to be colloid adenocarcinoma due to intraoperative frozen section diagnosis, and right lower lobectomy and lymph node resection were done. His postoperative course was good and, at present when 2 years have passed after the operation, he is alive without recurrence. Primary lung colloid adenocarcinoma is difficult to distinguish from a bronchogenic cyst and a metastatic lung tumor. But the prognosis is believed to be relatively good if complete resection is obtained. We recommend aggressive resection if colloid adenocarcinoma is suspected.