Pulmonary Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor: A Case Report.
Lotte Bruyninckx1, Paul De Leyn1, Dirk Van Raemdonck1
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
European Journal of Pediatric Surgery Reports
|November 5, 2024
Summary
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare neoplasms in young patients. This case highlights a pulmonary IMT in a child, confirmed via surgery and microscopic analysis, with negative ALK expression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pediatric Pathology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm primarily affecting children and young adults.
- While etiology is unclear, chromosomal alterations near the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene suggest a neoplastic nature.
- IMTs possess potential for aggressive behavior and metastasis, indicating intermediate malignant potential.
Observation:
- A case of pulmonary IMT was incidentally discovered in a 6-year-old boy.
- The patient underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic right upper lobectomy with lymph node resection.
- Microscopic examination revealed spindle cells within a plasma cell background, consistent with IMT.
Findings:
- The pulmonary IMT diagnosis was histopathologically confirmed.
- Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) immunohistochemical expression was negative in the tumor.
- Surgical resection was the primary treatment modality.
Implications:
- This case contributes to understanding pulmonary IMT in pediatric populations.
- The negative ALK expression highlights the need for comprehensive diagnostic approaches beyond genetic markers.
- Further research into IMT pathogenesis and treatment strategies is warranted.
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