Primary testicular choriocarcinoma with pulmonary metastases presenting as ARDS

We report a case in which ARDS was the presenting manifestation of testicular choriocarcinoma with numerous metastases to the lungs. We also review the literature on other cases in which ARDS developed as a result of neoplastic infiltration of the lungs and stress the fact that it may be indistinguishable from ARDS from other causes. Because potentially effective chemotherapy for the neoplastic processes most commonly involved (ie, germ cell tumors, acute leukemia and lymphoma) is available, we emphasize the importance of considering a neoplastic disorder in the differential diagnosis of cases of otherwise unexplained ARDS. Early accurate diagnosis could conceivably result in an improved outcome in these cases.