[A case of large cell carcinoma of the lung with rhabdoid phenotype]

A 37-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of suspicion of the lung cancer in November 2003. Transbronchial tumor biopsy revealed a small number of tumor cells with rhabdoid features, which had eosinophilic cytoplasmic globules. However, a definitive histological diagnosis was not obtained. We considered that a diagnosis of lung malignant tumor was likely according to the findings of chest CT scan and pathology. Although radiotherapy reduced the tumor size, he started to have abdominal pain and tarry stool one month after radio therapy. Multiple small intestine metastases were detected by gastroenterological endoscopy. The patient died due to bleeding from these metastatic lesions in May 2004. Immunohistologic staining of the cervical lymph node showed that rhabdoid cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), vimentin, and anticytokeratin antibody (CAM5.2), but not for thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1). From the autopsy findings and clinical course, he was finally diagnosed with large cell carcinoma of the lung with rhabdoid phenotype. Because of its aggressive clinical course, early diagnosis and decision on therapy would be very important for this disease.