Pulmonary Blastoma, a Form of Carcinosarcoma: Report of a Case of 24 Years' Duration without Treatment

Abstract

A unique case of pulmonary blastoma which is multicentric and bilateral, and contains a diffuse adenomatous element not previously described in lesions of this type, is reported. This patient is living and apparently well 24 yr. after the initial radiologic evidence of the disease. The differential diagnosis of this disease process is discussed, and the literature as it applies to this case and other reported pulmonary blastomas is reviewed. This is a rare tumor that is believed to be derived from bipotential pulmonary mesenchyme that differentiates into both stromal and epithelial elements. The neoplasm is considered separately from other carcinosarcomas of the lung because of its distinct histologic appearance, which usually does not correlate well with the clinical behavior. Prognosis usually is favorable, but occasional cases with distant metastases have been reported.