Small Cell Lung Cancer Associated With Cystic Airspace: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Authors

Hiroyuki Shimada, Yukihisa Inoue, Osamu Matsubara, Mio Yamamoto, Shohei Yamashita, Tetsu Hara, Kazuki Yamanaka, Yasuto Jinn

Published in

Respirology case reports. Volume 14. Issue 8. Pages e70709. Epub Aug 02, 2026.

Abstract

Cystic airspaces are recognised as a risk factor for lung cancer. Nearly all cancers arising in association with cystic airspaces are non-small cell lung cancers, whereas cases of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in this setting are rarely reported. A 72-year-old woman with a history of smoking was referred to our hospital for evaluation of an abnormal chest shadow. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a cystic airspace in the left upper lobe, along with a nodular lesion adherent to the cyst wall with polypoid extension into the lumen. Marked uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose was observed in the nodular lesion on positron emission tomography-CT. Consequently, primary lung cancer was suspected, and surgical resection was performed. Histopathological examination of the resected specimen led to a diagnosis of SCLC. Although rare, SCLC could arise from cystic airspaces. Nodules abutting cystic airspaces, as well as cyst wall thickening, warrant close short-term follow-up.

PMID:
42548933
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 04 Aug 2026.

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