Long-term remission achieved via combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy in a non-resectable granulocyte colony-stimulating factor producing pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung

Abstract

The prognosis is poor for patients with advanced pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung due to the generally limited response to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. It has been suggested the production of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) by cancer cells may aggravate the disease progression. We herein report a case of a 73-year-old Japanese man with advanced G-CSF-producing pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung. First-line chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel had been suspended. Subsequent radiotherapy achieved a moderate volume reduction and an amelioration of the excessive G-CSF-related complications. Six cycles of second-line chemotherapy with docetaxel administered with good results. These combined treatments resulted in long term survival without progression of the disease. © 2013 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.