Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2016 | Case report
Coexistence of lung cancer and immunoglobulin G4-related lung disease in a nodule: a case report
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2016
Login to get accessAbstract
Background
Immunoglobulin G4-related disease is characterized by infiltration of immunoglobulin G4-positive plasmacytes in various organs. The radiological findings of lung involvement of immunoglobulin G4-related disease include hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathies, thickness of bronchovascular bundles, peribronchovascular consolidation, and lung nodules. Although a pathological approach is needed to diagnose immunoglobulin G4-related disease, it is ordinarily diagnosed by biopsy from one lesion even if there are multiple lesions. We reported a rare case of the coexistence of immunoglobulin G4-related disease and lung cancer in the same lung nodule.
Case presentation
A 72-year-old Japanese man visited our hospital for evaluation of a nodular shadow in the middle lobe of his right lung that was seen on chest radiograph and computed tomography scan. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed a tumefactive lesion in his anterior sacral spine. Blood examinations revealed high serum immunoglobulin G4 concentration at 346 mg/dl, renal dysfunction, and anemia. He underwent right upper lobectomy and regional lymph node dissection. Pathologic findings of the lung nodule showed lepidic pattern adenocarcinoma with infiltration of immunoglobulin G4-positive plasma cells and obliterative phlebitis.
Conclusions
To date, there have been only few reports on the coexistence of immunoglobulin G4-related disease and lung cancer; here, we report such a rare case. Histologic examination should be considered in cases of suspicious immunoglobulin G4-related disease appearing in a lung nodule.