Spindle Cell Carcinoma of the Lung: Benefits of Immunohistochemical Studies

Abstract

Sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare histologic type of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) which represents only 0.3 to 3% of primitive lung cancers. In 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined in its classification a new entity, sarcomatoid carcinoma, as “any proliferation that can offer permanently epithelial-mesenchymal morphological transition.” The term sarcomatoid carcinoma is generic; it includes various entities such as spindle cell carcinomas which are without well-known clinical and immunohistochemical features. We report the case of a 53-year-old smoker patient, with a history of bullous emphysema discovered 8 years ago and who was hospitalized for exploration of a large pleuro parenchymal mass. The functional signs were dyspnea and alteration of the condition. Percutaneous Computed Tomography (CT) guided biopsy of the mass concluded to a pulmonary spindle cell carcinoma. Staging revealed adrenal nodule with mesenteric and peritoneal invasions. The patient died two months after diagnosis despite an attempt of chemotherapy based on carboplatin/docetaxel.