Very young patient with peculiar squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

A 20-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is described. Histology of the open lung biopsy specimen revealed squamous cell carcinoma with definite keratinization. Interestingly, the tumor cells were characterized by partial expression of CD34 antigen and neuroendocrine differentiation. The diagnosis was delayed in this case because of his young age. This delayed diagnosis resulted in rapid progression and short survival time. In our review of 667 cases of lung cancers at Okayama University Hospital, only 3 (0.4%) of them were under 30 years of age and also showed advanced stage and very poor prognosis. It is important to take note of lung cancer as a differential diagnosis to detect early-stage lung cancer in young patients when they present with abnormal shadow on chest radiograph.