Conversion of aspergilloma to chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis following treatment with sunitinib: A case report

Abstract

Semi-invasive or invasive aspergillosis occurring following chemotherapy with sunitinib is a rare condition with unknown incidence and prognosis. Here, we report a case involving a 59-year-old male who had a history of underlying stable aspergilloma and was newly diagnosed with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Following surgical resection for renal cell carcinoma and adjuvant chemotherapy with sunitinib for 8 months, the patient presented with hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography revealed an increased soft tissue mass and air crescent sign of the underlying aspergilloma, combined with consolidation and bronchial artery hypertrophy around the lesion. The patient underwent bronchoscopy with a biopsy of the lesion and was eventually diagnosed with chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis, which had progressed from the underlying stable aspergilloma. This case highlights the fact that clinicians should be aware of the risk of opportunistic conversion from stable aspergilloma to invasive fungal infections in patients undergoing sunitinib treatment.