Cutaneous metastasis of primitive neuroectodermal lung tumor

Abstract

Primary sarcomas of the chest are rare. Although primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) usually develops in the chest wall, it has been described as a primary pulmonary tumor. We present an unusual case of PNET arising in the lung of an 89-year-old man. Case SynopsisAn 89-year-old man, non-smoker and well-controlled diabetic, was referred to our department because of the appearance of a mass on the scalp exhibiting progressive growth for two months. Cutaneous examination showed a large and fungating mass on the head, which had an unpleasant aroma (Figure 1). The family had noticed a gradual decline in the patient's function in recent months. Three days after presentation, he went to the emergency department because of hemoptysis and epigastric pain. Figure 1. Fungating scalp tumor A biopsy of the skin confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic type neuroectodermal tumor, which was enolase and CD99 positive, synaptophysin and chromogranin negative (Figures 2,3).