Pulmonary blastoma: report of two cases

Pulmonary blastoma is successfully treated with immunotherapy and targeted therapy

Pulmonary blastomas (PB) are an extremely rare type of lung cancer. Currently, no standard treatment exists for PB. Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenesis treatments has been an effective method for lung cancer; however, studies on PB treatment are lacking. Herein, we present a case report of successful conversion therapy with immunotherapy and targeted therapy for PB. After receiving treatment with a PD-1 inhibitor (penpulimab) and a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor (anlotinib) treatment, the patient showed an impressive response and underwent a successful operation. We also summarized and reviewed literature reports on PubMed from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2022, using the keyword "pulmonary blastoma", discussing the efficacy and specifics of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Immunotherapy, in combination with targeted therapy, should be considered a potential therapeutic strategy for PB.

Classic biphasic pulmonary blastoma: A case report and review of the literature from 2000 to 2022

Classic biphasic pulmonary blastoma (CBPB), a distinct type of lung cancer, is a dual-phasic tumor characterized by the co-existence of low-grade fetal adenocarcinoma and primitive mesenchymal stroma. Accounting for less than 0.1% of surgically removed lung cancers, CBPB commonly presents in individuals during their fourth to fifth decades of life, with smoking as a significant risk factor. The optimal management strategy entails surgical resection, supplemented by chemotherapy to improve prognosis. The frontline chemotherapeutic agents typically include platinum agents and etoposide, with preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy potentially enabling operability for initially inoperable cases. In recent years, targeted therapies, such as antiangiogenic agents, have emerged as promising new treatment strategies for CBPB. For patients exhibiting brain metastases or deemed inoperable, radiation therapy proves to be a crucial therapeutic component. CBPB prognosis is adversely affected by factors such as early metastasis, tumor size exceeding 5 cm, and tumor recurrence. In this regard, serological markers have been identified as valuable prognostic indicators. To exemplify, we recount the case of a 44-year-old female patient with CBPB, wherein serum lactate dehydrogenase levels showed significant diagnostic value. This report further incorporates a comprehensive review of CBPB literature from the past 22 years.

A Rare Case of Metastatic Brain Tumor From Classic Biphasic Pulmonary Blastoma Presented as Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Pulmonary blastoma is a rare type of primary lung cancer that accounts for only 0.25%-0.5% of all lung malignancies. Pulmonary blastoma consists of three subgroups: classic biphasic pulmonary blastoma (CBPB), pleuropulmonary blastoma, and well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma. Due to the rarity of the tumor, metastatic brain tumor from CBPB is extremely rare, and only 13 cases, including our case, have been reported. A 60-year-old woman who underwent left upper lobectomy of the lung because of pathologically diagnosed as CBPB 5 months ago, suddenly lost consciousness and presented with stupor mental status. The emergent CT scan showed a large, 51 mL, intracerebral hemorrhage on left parieto-occipital lobe with midline shifting. The patient underwent emergent craniotomy, and a hypervascular tumor was identified during the operation. Histopathologic examination reported metastatic pulmonary blastoma, CBPB. The patient has been in a vegetative state, but there has been no evidence of recurrence over a 6-month follow-up period. We report a rare case of brain metastasis from CBPB presenting with altered mentality due to massive tumor bleeding. This is the only reported case of brain metastasis from CBPB presenting with acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

Pneumoblastoma: A Rare Tumor in Children Revealed by Pyopneumothorax

Pneumoblastoma is a rare but severely aggressive primary lung tumor. Exceptional at the pediatric age, pneumoblastoma lacks clinical and radiological specificity. It is rarely mentioned as a first-line differential, as radiological images are often confused with those of congenital lung malformation. This history is reminiscent of the diagnostic difficulty with which the clinician is confronted with the finding of an intrathoracic cystic image of the child. Primary childhood lung tumors, especially pneumoblastoma, are difficult to diagnose both clinically and by imaging. It is necessary to think about it in the face of any lingering respiratory infection and any atypical radiological presentation. We report this case in order to illustrate the usual radiographic, ultrasound, and scenographic aspects of this rare malignant tumor in children and to highlight the diagnostic problems posed by this exceptional pathology.

A Rare case of Classic Biphasic Pulmonary Blastoma

Biphasic pulmonary blastomas are rare tumors that together with pulmonary carcinosarcomas comprise less than 2 per cent of all lung neoplasms. They can be defined as tumors that are composed of an admixture of immature mesenchyme and epithelium and that recapitulate morphologically the embryonal structure of the lung. First described in 1945 by Barnett and Barnard, their existence is well documented although their occurrence is rare. We present a case of a 40-year-old Hispanic female that presented with a 2-month history of retrosternal and midepigastric pain. A GI etiology was initially treated unsuccessfully with antireflux medications. A chest radiograph showed a 4.6-cm mass in the right upper lobe of the lung, and computed tomography showed right apical bullous formation with no lymphadenopathy. Bronchoscopy revealed no endobronchial lesions, and biopsy was nondiagnostic. The histopathologic and immunophenotypic analysis of a right upper lobectomy specimen was diagnostic of classic biphasic pulmonary blastoma. The rarity of these tumors makes easy identification difficult. Immunohistochemical analysis must be used to arrive at the proper diagnosis. It is imperative that there be good communication between the surgeon and pathologist and that institutions have access to facilities with the ability of identifying these complex tumors.

Sensitivity of chest X-ray for detecting lung cancer in people presenting with symptoms: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Despite increasing use of computed tomography (CT), chest X-ray remains the first-line investigation for suspected lung cancer in primary care in the UK. No systematic review evidence exists as to the sensitivity of chest X-ray for detecting lung cancer in people presenting with symptoms.

AIM

To estimate the sensitivity of chest X-ray for detecting lung cancer in symptomatic people.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A systematic review was conducted to determine the sensitivity of chest X-ray for the detection of lung cancer.

METHOD

Databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched; a grey literature search was also performed.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies met the eligibility criteria. Almost all were of poor quality. Only one study had the diagnostic accuracy of chest X-ray as its primary objective. Most articles were case studies with a high risk of bias. Several were drawn from non-representative groups, for example, specific presentations, histological subtypes, or comorbidities. Only three studies had a low risk of bias. Two primary care studies reported sensitivities of 76.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 64.5 to 84.2%) and 79.3% (95% CI = 67.6 to 91.0%). One secondary care study reported a sensitivity of 79.7% (95% CI = 72.7 to 86.8%).

CONCLUSION

Though there is a paucity of evidence, the highest-quality studies suggest that the sensitivity of chest X-ray for symptomatic lung cancer is only 77% to 80%. GPs should consider if further investigation is necessary in high-risk patients who have had a negative chest X-ray.

Surgery and radiation therapy for brain metastases from classic biphasic pulmonary blastoma

Pulmonary blastoma, a rare malignant lung tumour, can metastasise to the brain. However, there is no evidence for any effective treatment. The aim of this report is to discuss the treatment options for pulmonary blastoma and confirm the necessity for a pathological diagnosis. A 75-year-old man was admitted with progressive right-sided hemiplegia and aphasia. MRI showed multiple brain tumours. A left frontal lobe lesion was surgically resected, after which he underwent whole brain radiation (30 Gy/10 fractions). He died of an acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia. On performing autopsy, partial responses in the brain metastases that had been irradiated were confirmed pathologically. Thus, we present pathological confirmation that surgery and radiation therapy have therapeutic effects on brain metastases from pulmonary blastoma.

Pulmonary blastoma: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Pulmonary blastomas are a rare aggressive neoplasm comprising 0.25-0.5% of all primary lung tumors and portend a poor prognosis. They display a biphasic histology with mesenchymal and epithelial components. Historically, the term pulmonary blastoma had included both pure fetal adenocarcinomas, pleuropulmonary blastomas as well as the classic biphasic blastomas. However recent World Health Organisation re-classifications separated well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinomas and pleuropulmonary blastomas from the biphasic tumours.

Case presentation

We present a case of a systemically well 67-year-old Caucasian male who presented with haemoptysis. Investigations confirmed the presence of a large right-sided lung mass and biopsy identified non-small cell carcinoma. The resected tumour was markedly necrotic revealing a biphasic pattern. It was composed of malignant glandular tissue with sub-nuclear vacuoles, associated with a pleomorphic stromal malignant blastematous component, characteristic of classic biphasic pulmonary blastoma.

Conclusion

We present a case of a classic biphasic pulmonary blastoma, a rare lung cancer occurring at an earlier age and portending to poorer prognosis than other more common lung cancers. Given the small number of cases and recent re-classification, interpreting the published epidemiology and clinical features of this disease is difficult. Many earlier reports may have included fetal adenocarcinomas (in particular high grade variant), which need to be considered when discussing treatment and prognosis with newly-diagnosed patients. Much could be gained from a central registry of individual experiences to improve our understanding of this rare lung cancer.

Radical resection of pleuropulmonary blastoma

Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is a rare intrathoracic neoplasm of early childhood that occurs in the lung or visceral pleura. We present a case of a 5-year-old boy with a cough, left-sided chest pain and progressive dyspnea on exertion. The patient had had an operation for a congenital lung cyst of the left lower lobe, six months prior to the present admission. A CT showed a heterogeneously enhancing mass lesion filling the left hemithorax. CT-guided fine needle aspiration cytology of the mass was inconclusive. En bloc resection of the mass along with left lower lobe, the involved ribs and left diaphragm was performed. The diaphragmatic defect was repaired using prolene mesh. Histopathology of the resected specimen showed solid and cystic areas consistent with type II PPB. The patient received adjuvent chemotherapy and was doing well 23 months after surgery. Radical resection of the tumor followed by adjuvent chemotherapy provides the only hope of salvaging cases of type II or type III PPB.

Cytologic features of pulmonary blastoma

Pulmonary blastomas are rare lung neoplasms constituting 0.5% of all lung tumors. This tumor has an aggressive course and needs to be recognized on cytology. A preoperative diagnosis of pulmonary blastoma is difficult to obtain by cytopathologic methods. A diagnosis of biphasic pulmonary blastoma should be considered when there is a dimorphic population of cells on cytology. A 30-year-old male presented with gradually progressing breathlessness and left-sided chest pain for the past one month. Chest radiograph and computed tomography of thorax revealed an anterior mediastinal mass that was subjected to ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology. Aspiration cytology showed a highly cellular lesion with a dimorphic population of tumor cells in a necrotic background. The possibility of a non-small cell carcinoma was suggested. Subsequent histopathology revealed the tumor to be a pulmonary blastoma. The importance of recognizing the dimorphic population of cells in cytology is discussed.

Imaging of the unusual pediatric 'blastomas'

‘Blastomas’ are tumors virtually unique to childhood. Controversy surrounds their nomenclature and there is no globally accepted classification. They are thought to arise from immature, primitive tissues that present persistent embryonal elements on histology, affect a younger pediatric population and are usually malignant. The ‘commoner’ blastomas (neuroblastoma, nephroblastoma, hepatoblastoma, medulloblastoma) account for approximately 25% of solid tumors in the pediatric age range. We present examples of the more unusual blastematous pediatric tumors (lipoblastoma, osteoblastoma, chondroblastoma, hemangioblastoma, gonadoblastoma, sialoblastoma, pleuropulmonary blastoma, pancreatoblastoma, pineoblastoma, and medullomyoblastoma) that were recorded in our institution. Although these rare types of blastomas individually account for <1% of pediatric malignancies, collectively they may be responsible for up to 5% of pediatric tumors in a given population of young children. Imaging is often non-specific but plays an important role in their identification, management and follow-up. Some characteristic imaging features at diagnosis, encountered in cases diagnosed and treated in our institution, are described and reviewed.

Solitary Brain Metastasis from Classic Biphasic Pulmonary Blastoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Classic biphasic pulmonary blastoma (CBPB) is a rare and aggressive primary malignancy, brain metastases of this type of tumor are even rarer.

CASE REPORT

A 51-year-old male patient with a solitary cerebral metastasis, diagnosed ten months after left pneumonectomy for a CBPB, was treated by surgery and accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy.

RESULTS

The patient died 15 months after partial removal of the brain metastasis. Literature review revealed only 4 cases of solitary brain metastases from this type of malignancy. The present case is the second one reported with a combined treatment of surgery and radiotherapy resulting in the longest survival.

CONCLUSION

The best treatment for CBPB is difficult to determine because of the small number of cases, however, the combination of surgery with radiotherapy seems to be effective. The effectiveness of chemotherapy has not been ascertained.

Pulmonary blastoma

We describe a resected pulmonary blastoma in an 84-year-old male, the oldest of previously reported patients. A chest X-ray showed a 2 cm-sized abnormal shadow in the left lung field. Five months later computed tomography demonstrated a well-demarcated heterogenous mass, measuring 12 cm in diameter, in the left lower lobe of the lung. This mass was diagnosed as a carcinoma using echo-guided percutaneous biopsy. The patient underwent a left lower lobectomy. The resected specimen revealed the tumor to be a pulmonary blastoma arising from lung tissue. Preoperative diagnosis of pulmonary blastoma is extremely difficult because of the histological heterogeneity of tumor. Since it has been noted that pulmonary blastoma rapidly progresses in a short period of time, surgical treatment should be undertaken as quickly as possible when such a tumor is suspected.

Case report: pulmonary blastoma: presentation of two atypical cases and review of the literature

Pulmonary blastoma is a relatively rare aggressive adult malignancy. The clinical and radiographic features of two cases are described and the literature reviewed. Pulmonary blastoma usually presents radiologically as a well-defined mass lesion on chest radiography, which may be large enough to completely opacify the hemithorax and cause mediastinal shift. On CT, pulmonary blastoma is seen as a mixed solid and cystic lesion with variable contrast enhancement and a necrotic centre. Pleural effusion may be present but is not the predominant abnormality. Our cases are unusual as recurrent pleural effusions in the absence of a significant lung mass were the presenting findings.