Report of Two Pulmonary Sarcomatoïd Carcinoma Cases With Highlights on the Computed Tomography Features

Abstract

Pulmonary sarcomatoïd carcinomas are a heterogeneous group of poorly differentiated non-small cell tumors with a sarcomatous component. On imaging, they appear as peripheral or central masses, sometimes excavated. We report two cases of pulmonary sarcomatoïd lung carcinoma. The first case involves a 73-year-old active smoker who presented with dyspnea. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a large locally advanced left lower lobar tumor process. A CT-guided biopsy was performed and the histopathological examination concluded a pulmonary sarcomatoïd carcinoma. The second case involves a 52-year-old chronic smoker who presented with hemoptysis. CT pulmonary angiography showed an excavated right upper lobar tumor. Histologic work-up of the right upper lobectomy piece objectified a pulmonary sarcomatoïd carcinoma. Pulmonary sarcomatoïd carcinoma has a nonspecific appearance on imaging and should be a part of imaging differential diagnoses in front of a large, lobulated, highly invasive lung tumor with or without excavation.

Recurrence of pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma presenting as haemothorax: a case report

“…Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma has a propensity for bleeding and its radiological appearance typically manifests as a peripheral mass with well-defined, rounded margins that exhibit heterogeneity due to necrotic or haemorrhagic areas. 6 As seen in this current case, the imaging findings of a substantial mass with irregular ground-glass opacity surrounding it raise a high suspicion of PSC. Additionally, PSC has the potential to invade the pleura and thoracic wall at an early stage.…”