[Diagnostic difficulty in a case of mucoepidermoid bronchial carcinoma]

A case of a 50-year male patient is presented. A cause of hemoptysis lasting for several months could not be identified in this patient. Chest X-ray and laboratory tests were normal. Temporarily atypical tubercle (Mycobacterium scrofulaceum) were seen in sputum, making proper diagnosis difficult. Further follow-up suggested cancer of the left lung. The diagnosis was ultimately confirmed intraoperatively. Histologically exceptionally malignant cancer--mucoepidermoid carcinoma--was diagnosed.