Lung cancer associated with pulmonary bulla - Case report and review of literature

A few reports have suggested the possible association between lung cancer a nd bullous disease. We report a surgical case of lung adenocarcinoma locate d in close proximity to pulmonary bullae. A 48-year-old nonsmoker, asymptom atic male was found to have a pulmonary tumor mass and giant bulla in the r ight lung. Thoracotomy identified a tumor arising from a firm, scarred and contracted area close to the bulla wall. Based on this report and review of other cases in the literature, we emphasize the need for physicians to be aware of the potential development of lung cancer in patients with pulmonar y bulla. Copyright (C) 1999 S. Karger AG, Basel.