AFP-PRODUCING SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE LUNG IN AN ADOLESCENT

We report a case of primary lung cancer in a 16-year-old boy. A histol ogic diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was made by bronchoscopic bi opsy before surgery. The serum alphafetoprotein (AFP) level was marked ly elevated at 193 ng/dl. Preoperative and postoperative evaluation re vealed no evidence of scrotal mass. We performed right pneumonectomy w ith combined resection of the invaded portion of the left atrium under extracorporeal circulation. Despite the rapid improvement in the pati ent's general condition after surgery, the AFP level continued to incr ease without a transient decrease and reached 3160 ng/ml on the 23rd p ostoperative day. When the patient was readmitted because of dyspnea a nd headache on the 36th postoperative day, hypercalcemia of 13.9 mg/dl was noted, and this was resistant to subsequent treatment. The patien t died on the 46th postoperative day.