Pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung: a report of six cases

We presented six patients with pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung. There were 4 male and 2 female whose ages ranged from 43 to 64 years, with a mean age of 54.3 years. While two patients were nonsmoker, four patients were current smoker, with a mean smoking history of 52.5 (30-90) pack-years. Bronchoscopic examination detected endobronchial lesion in three patients. The diagnosis of pleomorphic carcinoma was established with cutting needle biopsy in one case and with thoracotomy in five cases. Epithelial component was squamous cell carcinoma in three cases and adenocarcinoma in the other three cases. There was bone metastasis in one case. She received chemotherapy and died two months after therapy. Among five patients who underwent surgery, pathologic staging was Stage IB in two patients, Stage IIB in two patients and Stage IV in one patient. Treatment modality was lobectomy in three cases and pneumonectomy in two cases. Survival time for patients after surgery was 2 to 20 months. In conclusion, pleomorphic carcinoma is a rare tumor of the lung. Diagnosis is frequently established with thoracotomy. These tumors have poor prognosis.