NUT Midline Carcinoma of the Lung: Computed Tomography Findings in 10 Patients

Defining the needle in a haystack: A compendium of genomic, pathologic, and clinical characteristics of rare pulmonary tumors

A major paradigm shift in the diagnosis, management, and survival outcomes of early and advanced non-small cell lung cancer has transpired over the past few decades in thoracic oncology with the incorporation of molecular testing, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, neoadjuvant, and adjuvant approaches. However, transformation in the management and survival outcomes of rare lung tumors is lacking. Given the scarcity of these tumor types, randomized trials are rarely performed, and treatment is extrapolated from case series, tumor-agnostic trials, or cancers with similar histology. Literature informing the management of rare pulmonary tumors is typically limited to a single histology, unique features, or extraordinary responses to therapy. Few resources detailing genomic characteristics and delineating features of these tumors are available, often resulting in suboptimal treatment. Here, we explore the clinical, histopathologic, genomic features and potential therapies of five rare pulmonary tumors, namely adenosquamous, basaloid squamous, mucoepidermoid, carcinosarcoma, and NUT carcinoma, to build a resource for rare histological subtypes of the lung and emphasize knowledge gaps in the management of these tumors. Our recommendations are based on a comprehensive review of case reports and series, clinical trials, and the "Indiana University Experience."

Primary pulmonary nuclear protein of the testis midline carcinoma: case report and systematic review with pooled analysis

Nuclear protein of the testis (NUT) midline carcinoma (NMC) is a rare tumor, with particularly low incidence in the lungs, and a correspondingly poor prognosis. To determine the clinicopathological characteristics, outcomes, and prognostic factors of primary pulmonary NMC, a case was reported and a systematic review was performed. Twenty-nine records, including ours, involving 62 cases, were finally included. The median age at diagnosis was 29.5 years. At presentation, the most common symptoms at presentation were cough (47.50%) and chest/back pain (37.50%). In terms of diagnosis, 32.14% of NMC cases were identified through immunohistochemistry (IHC); However, a greater number of cases may be misdiagnosed initially, and ultimately, the diagnosis of NMC was confirmed through a combination of IHC and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Despite the clinical application of various chemotherapy-based treatments, the actual effectiveness remains unsatisfactory. Furthermore, Cox regression analysis of multiple factors identified male gender and concurrent presence of pleural effusion as indicators of shorter survival time in patients. These results emphasize the importance of increased diagnostic awareness among clinical and pathology practitioners concerning NMC. While there is currently no established standard for treating NMC, a treatment approach combining multiple methods shows promise for future research. Concurrently, clinical and foundational investigations addressing variables such as gender and the presence of pleural effusion may yield valuable insights into the diagnosis and treatment of NMC.

Clinical imaging of primary pulmonary nucleoprotein of the testis carcinoma

Objective

Primary pulmonary nucleoprotein of the testis (NUT) carcinoma is very rare in the clinic. In this study, the clinicopathological manifestations and imaging features of the primary pulmonary NUT carcinoma were investigated to improve the diagnosis of this disease.

Methods

Six patients with pathologically diagnosed pulmonary NUT carcinoma were analyzed, including three males and three females, aged 19-64 (49.00 ± 16.40) years, with clinical manifestations of cough in two cases, hoarseness in one case, blood in sputum in one case, chest pain in one case, and physical examination findings in one case, with a disease duration of 5 days to 4 months. The clinical and imaging data including CT and PET/CT were retrospectively analyzed. Further literature reviews were analyzed in both pulmonary and extrapulmonary NUT carcinoma cases who performed ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT.

Results

Most of the patients with pulmonary NUT carcinomas presented as heterogeneous lobulated masses (83.33%), four cases (66.67%) were located in the upper lobe of the left lung, one case (16.67%) in the middle lobe of the right lung, and one case (16.67%) in the lower lobe of the right lung, with the maximum diameter ranging from 1.30 to 8.90 cm and the median of 3.55 cm, most of them were irregularly shaped, with more lobulated margins and more heterogeneous density (83.33%), and the enhancement was mild. PET/CT showed increased ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in the lesion and metastatic areas. Both the pulmonary NUT patients in this study and literature reviews showed the SUV_max of the tumor ranged from 5 to 40 with an average value of 12.8, whereas that of extrapulmonary lesions had a range of SUV_max at 4.5-64.1 and a mean of 13.8.

Conclusion

In patients with central lung masses, rapid disease progression, and poor response to initial treatment, the possibility of NUT cancer should be considered and anti-NUT monoclonal antibody immunohistochemical staining, combined with genetic detection, if necessary, should be performed as soon as possible. CT and PET/CT imaging are essential for the staging, management, treatment response assessment, and monitoring of pulmonary NUT cancer.

Radiologic Manifestations of Pulmonary Nuclear Portein in Testis Midline Carcinoma: A Case Report

Nuclear portein in testis (NUT) midline carcinoma is a very rare and low-differentiating malignant epithelial tumor that differentiates very aggressively and has poor prognosis. NUT midline carcinoma occurring in the lungs in particular can be confused with other cancers because few cases have been reported in Korea to date and can show various histological forms. Reports of radiology findings are very rare worldwide. Here we report the imaging findings of pulmonary NUT midline carcinoma in a 25-year-old female along with pathological findings.

NUT Carcinoma in Children and Adolescents: The Expert European Standard Clinical Practice Harmonized Recommendations

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Nuclear protein of the testis (NUT) carcinoma (NC) is a rare and highly aggressive tumor mainly occurring in adolescents and young adults, defined by the presence of a somatic NUTM1 rearrangement. The aim is to establish internationally harmonized consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of adolescents and young adults with NC in the framework of the European Reference Network for Paediatric Oncology.

METHODS

The European Cooperative Study Group for Pediatric Rare Tumors developed recommendations according to the Consensus Conference Standard Operating procedure methodology and reviewed by external "experts." No evidence of level I to II exists. Recommendations were developed based on published prospective (level III), but more frequently retrospective series (level IV), case reports (level V), and personal expertise (level V). In addition, "strength" of recommendations were categorized by grading (grade A to E).

RESULTS

Histology is mandatory for the diagnosis of NC, including immunolabeling with anti-NUT antibodies and molecular biology (NUTM1 rearrangement) (level V; grade A). Treatment of NC usually combines aggressive approaches in multimodal regimens. Chemotherapy should be considered as first-line treatment (neoadjuvant vincristine-adriamycin-ifosfamide/cisplatin-adriamycin-ifsofamide or vincristine-doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide/ifosfamide-etoposide) for unresectable or metastatic tumor (ie, 3 courses), rapidly followed by local treatment (level IV; grade B). Referral to a specialized surgical oncology center is highly recommended (level V; grade A). In localized NC, a complete microscopic surgical resection should be attempted whenever and as soon as possible, followed by primary irradiation (60 to 70 Gy) and involved lymph nodes area (level IV; grade B). For head and neck tumors, a systematic neck dissection might be considered, even if N0 (level V; grade C). Adjuvant postirradiation chemotherapy is recommended, for a total of 9 to 12 courses (level IV; grade B). For first-line resected tumors, concomitant adjuvant chemotherapy to radiotherapy may be discussed (level IV; grade B). Targeted therapies and immunotherapeutic regimens should be delivered in the setting of prospective trials (level V; grade B).

CONCLUSIONS

This project leads to a consensus strategy based on international experience with this very rare disease.

Nuclear protein of the testis midline carcinoma of the thorax

Nuclear protein of the testis (NUT) midline carcinoma (NMC) is a rare tumor that typically presents in the head, neck, and chest region. NMC is characterized by rearrangement of the NUTM1 gene. It mainly affects children and young adults and is rapidly progressive and lethal. Reportedly, the prognoses of NMCs of the head and neck improve following aggressive initial surgical resection +/- postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or radiotherapy (RT). However, as NMC of the thorax was identified later, treatments to improve its prognosis are yet to be identified. Our review reveals that NMC is an extremely rare cancer, and most patients remain undiagnosed. Furthermore, this review outlines the clinical characteristics of NMC of the thorax and the prospects for its treatment.

NUT carcinoma of the thorax in a 7-year-old child

We present a rare case of NUT midline carcinoma of the thorax in a 7-year-old-male who presented with nonspecific abdominal pain. The patient was initially evaluated with an abdominal ultrasound, which was negative, followed by an abdominopelvic CT that demonstrated a partially visualized infiltrative mediastinal mass. Subsequent, chest CT showed a large, aggressive appearing heterogenous middle mediastinal mass with pulmonary parenchyma, hilar, and posterior mediastinal invasion. Given its epicenter in the middle mediastinum and its irregular and invasive appearance, the primary consideration was NUT midline carcinoma, subsequently confirmed on biopsy.