A Case of Keratinizing Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lung with Myocardial Carcinomatosis

Abstract

Introduction. Lung cancer is a common malignant neoplasm and it holds the top positions among the deadliest cancers. A prolonged absence of clinical symptoms results in a delay in seeking medical assistance. Given the pertinence of this issue, we present a case involving keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the lung with myocardial carcinomatosis.

Case description. A 65-year-old patient, who passed away at home, was brought in for a pathoanatomical autopsy. During the autopsy, a region with a cuff-like peribronchial tumor growth was found in the lower lobe bronchus of the right lung. Histological examination revealed tumor areas with indistinct stratification of cells. Keratinizing elements with pyknotic nuclei and abundant acidophilic cytoplasm were noted in the invasion zone. Clusters of atypical cells were found in the myocardium. An parietal tumor thrombus was noted in the right atrium. Histologically, there were signs of acute cardiovascular failure and cardiac tamponade.

Conclusion. The identified lung cancer in the lower lobe bronchus of the right lung (histological variant: poorly differentiated keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma) was characterized by the absence of characteristic metastases to lymph nodes. Myocardial carcinomatosis was observed.