A Case of Adenocarcinoma Presenting a Solitary Pulmonary Nodule that Grows Slowly Over 10 Years. |
Ki Du Kwon, Ji Hyeong Kim, Dae Yong Kim, Moon Han Choi, Jae Huk Choi, Dong Won Shin, Jong Hyo Choi, Sul Hee Yi, Jin A Yun, Jae Sung Choi, Ju Ok Na, Ki Hyun Seo, Yong Hoon Kim, Mi Hae Oh |
1Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. cjssch@hanmail.net 2Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. |
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Abstract |
It is difficult to distinguish a lung cancer from a pulmonary tuberculoma or other benign nodule. It is even more difficult to identify the type of lesion if the mass shows no change in size or demonstrates slow growth. Only a pathological confirmation can possibly reveal the nature of the lesion. A 61-year-old-woman was referred for a solitary pulmonary nodule. The nodule showed no change in size for the first two years and continued to grow slowly. Pathological and immunological analyses were conducted for confirmation of the nodule. The nodule was identified as a well-differentiated primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma. An LULobectomy was performed, and the post surgical stage of the nodule was IIIA (T2N2M0). Even though there are few risk factors, there is still the possibility of a malignancy in cases of non-growing or slow growing solitary pulmonary nodules. Therefore, pathological confirmation is encouraged to obtain a firm diagnosis. |
Key Words:
Solitary pulmonary nodule, Slow growing lung cancer, Adenocarcinoma |
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