Giant cell carcinoma of the lung - Report of a case with cytohistologic and clinical correlation

BACKGROUND: Giant cell carcinoma (GCC) of the lung is an unusual tumor characterized by an aggressive outcome. CASE: A peripheral lung tumor was observed in an elderly male. At presentation the clinical symptoms were cough, thoracic pain and hemoptysis. Chest roentgenography showed a left pleural effusion and neutrophilia in the blood. Bronchoscopic examination showed a peripheral tumor mass that could not be biopsied. Bronchoalveolar lavage was negative. The patient underwent a cerebrovascular accident and died. The autopsy showed a peripheral giant cell tumor of the left lung that involved regional and mediastinal lymph nodes. Touch imprints showed tridimensional clusters of pleomorphic and large cells, some of which were multinucleated, containing leukocytes in their cytoplasm. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the typical cytohistologic features of GCT of the lung, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any peripheral lung tumor composed of large cells. Clinical correlation is helpful in reaching the correct diagnosis.