Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma with Concomitant Localized Pulmonary Melioidosis: A Rare Co-Existing Disease

• Main Authors: Laplertsakul G, Sutherasan Y, Suwatanapongched T, Incharoen P, Petnak T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-08-01
• Series: Infection and Drug Resistance
• Subjects: non-small cell lung cancer; melioidosis; co-existing infection; kidney transplantation
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/non-small-cell-lung-carcinoma-with-concomitant-localized-pulmonary-mel-peer-reviewed-article-IDR
• ISSN: 1178-6973

Gunthiga Laplertsakul,1 Yuda Sutherasan,1 Thitiporn Suwatanapongched,2 Pimpin Incharoen,3 Tananchai Petnak1 1Division of Pulmonary and Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 2Division of Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; 3Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandCorrespondence: Tananchai PetnakDivision of Pulmonary and Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 270 Ramathibodi Hospital, Rama VI Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, ThailandTel/Fax [phone]Email [e-mail]: Melioidosis is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, water-and-soil gram-negative bacteria predominantly found in Southeast Asia and Australia. Herein, we reported a 63-year-old Thai man presenting with prolonged fever, non-productive cough, and weight loss for 3 months. He underwent deceased donor kidney transplantation 4 years ago and was on many immunosuppressive agents after transplantation. At presentation, his chest radiograph showed a mass-like lesion in the left upper lobe. Histopathological examination of a transthoracic needle lung biopsy yielded adenocarcinoma, while tissue culture grew for B. pseudomallei. He was diagnosed with stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (T4N0M0) co-existing with localized pulmonary melioidosis. After intensive and eradication therapy for melioidosis, his well-being improved with the resolution of fever. He sequentially underwent left upper lobectomy, but the procedure was not accomplished due to severe adhesions surrounding the left lung and great vessels. After surgery, he received concurrent chemoradiation therapy for his lung cancer. Nevertheless, the disease progressed, and he finally passed away. Since fever is not a common manifestation of lung cancer, co-existing infection, such as tuberculosis, fungal infection, and melioidosis, should always be excluded in patients suspected of having lung cancer presenting with unexplained fever.Keywords: non-small cell lung cancer, melioidosis, co-existing infection, kidney transplantation