[Pulmonary Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma--A Case Report]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a rare lung cancer originating from bronchial submucosal glands.
• It presents as low-grade or high-grade subtypes, impacting patient prognosis.
• Pulmonary MEC shares genetic features, like the CRTC1-MAML2 fusion oncogene, with salivary MEC.

Observation:

• A 36-year-old man presented with obstructive pneumonia, leading to the discovery of an endobronchial mass.
• CT and bronchoscopy identified the mass in the right S3 bronchus with distal atelectasis.
• Initial pre- and intraoperative biopsies yielded false-negative results, complicating diagnosis.

Findings:

• The patient underwent successful right upper lobectomy for complete tumor resection.
• Final pathological diagnosis confirmed low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
• The patient remained disease-free for 2 years post-surgery without adjuvant therapy.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering MEC despite negative initial biopsies.
• Complete surgical resection is a viable treatment for low-grade pulmonary MEC.
• Understanding the molecular basis (e.g., CRTC1-MAML2, EGFR-TKI sensitivity) may guide future therapeutic strategies for pulmonary MEC.