Roentgenographically occult small-cell lung cancer: Case report and review of the literature

Abstract

This report describes a rare case of roentgenographically occult small- cell lung cancer in a 73-year-old man with hemoptysis. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy disclosed a 5-mm dome-shaped lesion; a biopsy established the diagnosis of small-cell lung cancer. The patient received a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. More than 10 years later, he is still alive without recurrent disease. A review of the literature of roentgenographically occult small-cell lung cancer revealed the following: (1) a history of heavy smoking was common; (2) double primary bronchogenic carcinoma was noted; (3) hemoptysis or bloody sputum was an initial common symptom; (4) the sensitivity of sputum cytologic analysis was relatively low; (5) the tumor, which was shiny, smooth, and covered with bronchial epithelium, was often located at the bifurcation; and (6) lymph node metastatic involvement occurred.