[Postoperative Recurrence of ROS1‒Positive Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma after 19 Years]

A 73‒year‒old woman underwent right lower lobectomy for Stage ⅠA(pathological Stage T1N0M0)pulmonary adenocarcinoma. After 19 years, she complained of dyspnea on exertion. Computed tomography revealed metastatic lesions in the bilateral supraclavicular, mediastinal, and hilar lymph nodes. Thoracoscopic lymph node biopsy showed recurrence of the adenocarcinoma, and immunohistochemical staining confirmed that the metastases were ROS1‒positive. The patient responded well to crizotinib therapy. The prognosis of non‒small‒cell lung cancer is considered favorable when it does not recur within 5 years, postoperation. However, few studies have reported the recurrence of ROS1‒positive pulmonary adenocarcinoma after a long disease‒free interval. Long‒term postoperative follow‒up is essential for patients with ROS1‒positive pulmonary adenocarcinomas.