SMALL GIANT-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE LUNG DIAGNOSED PREOPERATIVELY BY TRANSTHORACIC ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY - A CASE-REPORT

Giant cell carcinoma (GCC) of the lung is considered an aggressive for m of lung cancer. Most patients with GCC have large tumors with widesp read metastases on hospital admission. We describe a small GCC in the lower lobe of the right lung. Preoperative aspiration cytology showed numerous bizarre, giant epithelial cells, highly suggestive of GCC. Th e resected tumor measured 1.2 x 1.0 x 0.7 cm in diameter, with an ill- defined margin. Histologically the tumor was composed of pleomorphic m ononucleate or multinucleate giant cells without adenocarcinoma or squ amous cell differentiation. The tumor cells were loosely organized and noncohesive or free in the alveolar space. The histology was interpre ted as GCC of the lung. The clinicopathologic features of giant cell c arcinoma are discussed.