Triple primary pulmonary epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Thoracic Surgery
• Oncology

Background:

• Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare tumor typically found in salivary glands.
• Pulmonary EMC (P-EMC) is an exceptionally rare histological subtype of lung cancer.
• Early detection through screening programs is crucial for managing rare lung conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of pulmonary epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (P-EMC).
• To demonstrate the effectiveness of thoracoscopic lung reduction for P-EMC.
• To highlight the surgical management of this rare lung malignancy.

Main Methods:

• Diagnosis of P-EMC in an elderly female patient detected via lung cancer screening CT.
• Initial thoracoscopic partial right lung resection for diagnosis and treatment.
• Subsequent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for left basal segmentectomy and lymph node dissection.

Main Results:

• Pathological diagnosis confirmed P-EMC in the resected lung tissue.
• The patient underwent successful thoracoscopic procedures for both right and left lung lesions.
• The management involved a combination of diagnostic resection and definitive surgical treatment.

Conclusions:

• Thoracoscopic lung reduction is an effective treatment modality for pulmonary epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma.
• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery offers a minimally invasive approach for managing rare lung tumors.
• Multifocal P-EMC can be successfully managed with appropriate surgical intervention and follow-up.