[A case of pulmonary artery sarcoma successfully treated by total pneumonectomy]

A 39 year-old Japanese man who had been treated for pleuritis developed a tumor in the left lung and was admitted to our hospital. Although evidence of tuberculous pleurisy was not proved medically, he had been treated successfully with antituberculous drugs for 9 months. Two months after completion of antituberculous therapy, his X-ray showed a tumor shadow close to his left hilum. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a left lung tumor with a diameter of 3.3cm, atelectasis in an ajacent field, and no effusion. Tumor markers targeted for lung cancer remained within normal range. Bronchofiberscopy demonstrated a polypoid tumor from left upper lobe bronchus. The pathological examination of CT guided percutaneous biopsy (CTGB) specimen revealed undifferentiated malignant tumor. A pulmonary angiogram disclosed almost complete obstruction of left pulmonary artery. He underwent total pneumonectomy of the left lung, and the final pathological diagnosis of pulmonary artery sarcoma was made. He received neither chemotherapy nor radiotherapy. He is well and disease free 3 years after resection. Surgical resection may improve the prognosis of this malignancy.