CLEAR-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE LUNG - A CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Clear cell carcinoma of the lung is an extremely rare type of lung can cer with doubtful etiology. This present case showed that the tumor ce lls contained abundant cytoplasmic glycogen with a diffusely distribut ed pattern and intracellular glandular structure electron microscopica lly. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the tumor cells expressed not only epithelial marker including cytokeratin and epithelial membr ane antigen, but also Le(y), one of stage-specific embryonic carbohydr ate antigens. The diagnosis of pulmonary clear cell carcinoma should b e done carefully, because benign clear cell tumor and secondary renal cell carcinoma show similarities in a histologic appearance but not in their management and prognosis.