A middle-aged man with a history of renal cell carcinoma

• Main Authors: Garciaorr R, Robbins RA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Arizona Thoracic Society 2011-06-01
• Series: Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care
• Subjects: aspiration pnuemonia; doubling time; lung abcess; lung mass; renal cell carcinoma
• Online Access: http://www.swjpcc.com/pulmonary/2011/6/16/a-middle-aged-man-with-a-history-of-renal-cell-carcinoma.html?SSScrollPosition=189

A 56 year old man was seen with a lung nodule. He had an extensive past medical history including renal cell carcinoma, congestive heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea and a 135 pack-year history of smoking. His physical examination was consistent with congestive heart failure. Sputum cultures for bacteria, fungi and tuberculosis were all negative. A CT scan revealed a spiculated, noncalcified 2.1 mass in the right lower lobe. PET scan showed the lesion to have a standard uptake value of 1.5. The lesion was followed and after 3 months had enlarged to 6.4 cm. Biopsy was done and consistent with a lung abscess. Conservative therapy resulted in resolution only to have the lesion recur 22 months later with the patient expiring from massive hemoptysis and respiratory failure. This case illustrates the usefulness of doubling time in separating benign from malignant lung lesions.