Multiple endotracheal metastases of lung cancer after bronchoscopic intervention

Abstract

A 65-year-old man presented with obstructive pneumonia due to squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, which invaded the right main bronchus. Argon plasma coagulation was performed, which reduced his symptoms. Right pneumonectomy was performed after preoperative chemotherapy; the pathological diagnosis was T3N1M0 Stage IIIA. Fifteen months after surgery, he presented with bloody sputum. Bronchoscopy showed multiple endotracheal tumors, and a pathological examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma; the same histology as the primary lung cancer. We hypothesized that direct implantation during bronchoscopic therapy or hematogenous or lymphatic spread might have led to metastasis. A careful follow-up is required after bronchoscopic therapy.