Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma: current understanding illustrated through a case

This article describes a case of a man in his early 40s who was diagnosed with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma (PPC). PPCs are rare and aggressive forms of lung cancer. Chemotherapy is of limited efficacy. We present a case that has seemingly recurred shortly after adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy following an R0 resection for localised disease. Biopsy however was negative for recurrence. PPCs may bear actionable mutations and tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be used when appropriate. Immunotherapy with or without chemotherapy is emerging as the mainstay for metastatic disease despite a lack of evidence from randomised clinical trials.