[Lung cancer accompanying sarcoidosis with diffuse myocardial involvement]

We describe an interesting case of adenocarcinoma of the lung accompanying sarcoidosis with diffuse myocardial involvement. A 69-year-old man had a tumor shadow on chest X-ray films of the right upper lung field. Bronchofiberscopy was performed in Jan. 1997. Because transbronchial biopsy specimens disclosed granuloma, the patient was treated with isoniazid, rifampicin, and streptomycin sulfate for tuberculosis, but did not show any improvement. In March 1997, the patient was examined by an ophthalmologist for blurred vision. He was given a diagnosis of uveitis and referred to us for evaluation because his serum ACE and lysozyme levels were elevated. Bronchofiberscopy was performed again, and a diagnosis of lung cancer accompanying sarcoidosis was made based on the findings of transbronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage. The disease progressed rapidly, and the patient died 47 days after admission. Autopsy disclosed sarcoid granulomas in cardiac muscle tissue and lung tissue. There have been very few reports on the co-existence of sarcoidosis and lung cancer, and the relationship between the two diseases is unclear.