A Case of Amylase-Producing Lung Cancer Discovered through Uveal Metastases

Abstract

In this case of amylase-producing lung cancer, uveal tumor was suspected in a 52-year old female patient with decreasing visual acuity. Chest roentgenograms showed a mass shadow in the superior basal segment of the left lower lobe and disseminated nodular shadows in the entire lung. Biopsy specimen obtained by bronchoscopy revealed adenocarcinoma of the lung. The tumors on the ocular fundus were thus believed to be metastases of lung cancer. Amylase activity in serum was markedly elevated, and the amylase isoenzyme pattern indicated a salivary origin. Amylase activity in the homogenate of tumor tissues obtained by autopsy was also elevated when compared with normal muscle tissue. This demonstrated that this case was an amylase-producing lung cancer. © 1991, The Japan Lung Cancer Society. All rights reserved.