Adenoid cystic carcinoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: synchronous presentations in the lung

Webb P. S., Zhang Y. Z., Burrell K., Sinclair G.

BMJ CASE REPORTS, vol.14, no.2, 2021 (ESCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 14 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1136/bcr-2020-236074
  • Journal Name: BMJ CASE REPORTS
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Bezmialem Vakıf University Affiliated: No

Abstract

A 59-year-old male active smoker presented with a 6-month history of cough and breathlessness and was found to have a right upper lobe mass. Histology revealed this to be an adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the lung, while local lymph node dissection revealed a synchronous diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The connection between CLL and solid organ malignancy is well documented, but the reporting of ACC in this context is novel. Mechanisms linking the two processes are revealed with the possibility of causality, and heightened vigilance for the development of primary lung tumours in CLL, and their management, is recommended.