Primary pulmonary mesenchymal malignancy associated with paraneoplastic pemphigus: a case report

Primary pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) associated with paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is extremely rare. IMT is an intermediate (rarely metastasizing) mesenchymal neoplasm rather than a conventional sarcoma. We report a case of a 68-year-old female patient who initially presented with generalized skin rash, oral mucosal ulceration, and fever. Chest CT revealed a thoracic mass (initially difficult to determine whether mediastinal or pulmonary in origin). Subsequent thoracotomy and surgical resection with pathological examination confirmed an ALK-rearranged inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (SQSTM1: ALK fusion) of pulmonary origin. Oral mucosal pathology, combined with clinical findings, supported a diagnosis of PNP. This case aims to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with primary pulmonary IMT complicated by PNP. However, the follow-up period was short and systemic immunosuppressive therapy was not administered; this should be regarded as a cautionary note rather than a therapeutic recommendation.