INFREQUENT PRESENTATION OF ASKINS TUMOR

Malign small cell tumors in the thoracopulmonary region is a tumor of neuroectodermic origins with polymorphous and infrequent presentation. It is mostly found among young people, developing an aggressive and s evere course. It is a small cell tumor involving small quantities of c ytoplasm without glucogen, round or oval nucleus with disperse chromat in, and little prominent nucleolus without tendency of manifesting pse udo red spots, being PAS negative. Two cases which initially resembled pleuropulmonary infection are presented. Case 1: Sixteen year old mal e. Presented with a high fever, pleuritic thoracic pain, and a cough w ith little expectoration. He was diagnosed with severe pulmonary infec tion and parapneumonic right pleural discharge. His condition improved with antibiotic treatment, but the cough persisted. Thoracoabdominal echography showed right pleural discharge and possible hepatic mass. S urgical intervention was performed. Askin's tumor was detected by biop sy. He began treatment with chemotherapy. Case 2: Thirty-four year old woman. Presented with non-productive cough, pleuritic thoracic pain, and high fever. In the thoracic TAC, there was right pleural discharge along with images suggesting hypodense mass. Given the patient's lack of response to antibiotics, a thoracotomy was performed. The anatomop athological diagnosis was Atkin's tumor. After beginning treatment, th e patient died after ten days.