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Advances in Respiratory Medicine 2021Pulmonary blastoma is a rare malignancy, accounting for less than 0.5% of primary lung tumors. It belongs to the group of pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinomas, and it is... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Pulmonary blastoma is a rare malignancy, accounting for less than 0.5% of primary lung tumors. It belongs to the group of pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinomas, and it is typically characterized by a biphasic pattern of an epithelial and a mesenchymal component. Only a few hundred cases have been reported worldwide. The aim of this study is to review and critically assess the literature regarding pulmonary blastoma.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A narrative literature review of PubMed database from the inception of the database up to January 2021, limited to the English language, was conducted, using combinations of the following keywords: "pulmonary blastoma", "biphasic pulmonary blastoma", "sarcomatoid carcinoma".
RESULTS
Pulmonary blastoma is composed of an epithelial and a mesenchymal malignant component. Regarding pathogenesis, the origin of the biphasic cell population remains elusive. Characteristic immunohistochemical stains are supportive of diagnosis.Clinically, the symptomatology is non-specific, while 40% of the cases are asymptomatic. It is diagnosed at a younger agecompared to other types of lung cancer, and it is often non-metastatic at diagnosis allowing for surgical treatment. Data on management and survival are scarce and mainly come from isolated cases. Advances on targeted therapy may provide novel treatment options. Given the rarity of the cases, multicenter collaboration is needed in order to establish therapeutic guidelines.
Topics: Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasm Staging; Pulmonary Blastoma
PubMed: 34725809
DOI: 10.5603/ARM.a2021.0085 -
Blood Advances Jan 2021Pathogenic germline variants in DICER1 underlie an autosomal dominant, pleiotropic tumor-predisposition disorder. Murine models with the loss of DICER1 in hematopoietic... (Review)
Review
Pathogenic germline variants in DICER1 underlie an autosomal dominant, pleiotropic tumor-predisposition disorder. Murine models with the loss of DICER1 in hematopoietic stem cell progenitors demonstrate hematologic aberrations that include reductions in red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin volume, and impaired maturation resulting in dysplasia. We investigated whether hematologic abnormalities such as those observed in DICER1-deficient mice were observed in humans with a pathogenic germline variant in DICER1. A natural history study of individuals with germline pathogenic DICER1 variants and family controls conducted through the National Cancer Institute (NCI) evaluated enrollees at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center during a comprehensive clinical outpatient visit that included collecting routine clinical laboratory studies. These were compared against normative laboratory values and compared between the DICER1 carriers and controls. There were no statistical differences in routine clinical hematology laboratory studies observed in DICER1 carriers and family controls. A review of the medical history of DICER1 carriers showed that none of the individuals in the NCI cohort developed myelodysplastic syndrome or leukemia. Query of the International Pleuropulmonary Blastoma/DICER1 Registry revealed 1 DICER1 carrier who developed a secondary leukemia after treatment of pleuropulmonary blastoma. We found limited evidence that the hematologic abnormalities observed in murine DICER1 models developed in our cohort of DICER1 carriers. In addition, no cases of myelodysplastic syndrome were observed in either the NCI cohort or the International Pleuropulmonary Blastoma/DICER1 Registry; 1 case of presumed secondary leukemia was reported. Abnormalities in hematologic indices should not be solely attributed to DICER1. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01247597.
Topics: Animals; DEAD-box RNA Helicases; Germ Cells; Germ-Line Mutation; Hematology; Mice; Neoplasms; Pulmonary Blastoma; Ribonuclease III
PubMed: 33570641
DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020002651 -
Nagoya Journal of Medical Science Dec 2016Pulmonary blastoma (PB) is a rare form of lung tumour and is accountable for 0.25-0.5% of primary pulmonary malignancies. Initially pulmonary blastoma was divided into...
Pulmonary blastoma (PB) is a rare form of lung tumour and is accountable for 0.25-0.5% of primary pulmonary malignancies. Initially pulmonary blastoma was divided into three subtypes: biphasic pulmonary blastoma (BPB) consisting of an epithelial and mesenchymal component, well differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma (WDFA) built of well differentiated epithelium and a mesenchymal component and malignant pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB). Prognosis in this type of cancer is really poor. We present a current review of literature and a clinical case report. Treatment of PB is very difficult. Data and recommendations about the treatment of pulmonary blastoma are still available therefore we should use only observations and clinical case reports.
PubMed: 28008207
DOI: 10.18999/nagjms.78.4.507 -
BMC Pulmonary Medicine Jan 2022Pulmonary blastoma (PB) comprises a rare heterogeneous group of lung tumours typically containing immature epithelial and mesenchymal structures that imitate the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary blastoma (PB) comprises a rare heterogeneous group of lung tumours typically containing immature epithelial and mesenchymal structures that imitate the embryonic lung tissue and extremely rarely occurs during pregnancy. Although cough and haemoptysis are the most common PB symptoms, they usually indicate other serious pregnancy-related complications.
CASE PRESENTATION
The article presents the unusual case of a 22-year-old pregnant woman diagnosed with PB during pregnancy.
CONCLUSIONS
PB is characterized by poor prognosis and patients' outcome relies on a rapid diagnosis. Surgery remains the most common and effective treatment. Due to the extreme rarity, the literature contains only single mentions of PB in pregnancy, thus its impact on the course of pregnancy and the developing fetus remains unknown.
Topics: Cesarean Section; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Pregnancy; Pulmonary Blastoma; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 34983474
DOI: 10.1186/s12890-021-01804-z -
Cureus Nov 2018Pulmonary blastoma is a rare lung cancer classified into three subtypes: classic biphasic pulmonary blastoma (CBPB), well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma (WDFA), and... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary blastoma is a rare lung cancer classified into three subtypes: classic biphasic pulmonary blastoma (CBPB), well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma (WDFA), and pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) of childhood. Compared to the other subtypes, CPPB is an aggressive tumor with an overall five-year survival of 16% across all stages. We present two cases of biopsy-proven metastatic CBPB, who have been disease-free for over 10 years since treatment completion. Both patients were treated with surgery to the primary tumor followed by an adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy for four cycles and thoracic radiation. One patient relapsed shortly after the completion of thoracic radiation with brain metastases and underwent craniotomy, gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS), and whole brain radiation therapy. The other patient presented with synchronous pelvic metastases and underwent metastasectomy after the completion of chemotherapy but before the initiation of thoracic radiation. We review the literature regarding surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiation treatment for patients with metastatic pulmonary blastoma. Based on our experience and review of the existing case reports, aggressive tri-modality treatment including surgery, chemotherapy with a cisplatin backbone, and a definitive treatment of oligometastatic lesions amenable to local therapy including resection or radiosurgery is reasonable to consider for medically fit patients with CBPB.
PubMed: 30656089
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.3586 -
Thorax Apr 1976Pulmonary blastoma is now accepted as a distinctive neoplasm. It remains rare, and only 28 cases have been reliably recorded. A further two cases are now reported, and...
Pulmonary blastoma is now accepted as a distinctive neoplasm. It remains rare, and only 28 cases have been reliably recorded. A further two cases are now reported, and the previous literature is reviewed. There are no specific clinical or radiological features of pulmonary blastoma. The presentation can be that of any other pulmonary tumour although a peripheral situation is usual and a large size is often attained before detection. Pulmonary blastoma is a mixed tumour with malignant epithelial and connective tissue components with a distinctive resemblance to fetal lung. The treatment of choice is surgical excision but the overall prognosis is poor. It is doubtful whether the tumour has a true blastomatous origin.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis; Radiography; Teratoma
PubMed: 941110
DOI: 10.1136/thx.31.2.197 -
BMC Cancer Aug 2020Pulmonary blastoma (PB) is a rare lung primary malignancy with poorly understood risk factors and prognosis. We sought to investigate the epidemiologic features and...
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary blastoma (PB) is a rare lung primary malignancy with poorly understood risk factors and prognosis. We sought to investigate the epidemiologic features and long-term outcomes of PB.
METHODS
A population-based cohort study was conducted to quantify the death risk of PB patients. All subjects diagnosed with malignant PB from 1988 to 2016 were screened from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. Cox regression model of all-cause death and competing risk analysis of cause-specific death were performed.
RESULTS
We identified 177 PB patients with a median survival of 108 months. The 5 and 10-year survival rate in all PB patients were 58.2 and 48.5%, as well as the 5 and 10-year disease-specific mortality were 33.5 and 38.6%. No sex or race disparities in incidence and prognosis was observed. The death risk of PB was significantly associated with age at diagnosis, clinical stage, histologic subtype and surgery treatment (p<0.01). On multivariable regression analyses, older age, regional stage and no surgery predicted higher risk of both all-cause and disease-specific death in PB patients.
CONCLUSION
We described the epidemiological characteristics of PB and identified its prognostic factors that were independently associated with worse clinical outcome.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Pneumonectomy; Pulmonary Blastoma; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; SEER Program; Survival Rate; Treatment Outcome; United States; Young Adult
PubMed: 32847556
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07323-0 -
Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia 2007Pulmonary blastoma is a rare primary lung tumor with poor prognosis that commonly presents at a younger age than the non-small cell lung cancer. Classically they are...
Pulmonary blastoma is a rare primary lung tumor with poor prognosis that commonly presents at a younger age than the non-small cell lung cancer. Classically they are large, symptomatic tumors with lymph nodal metastasis and carry poor prognosis. Pathological examination revealed features suggesting a biphasic tumor with mesenchymal and epithelial components. Over 200 cases have been reported so far worldwide since the first description of the tumor in 1945. Authors present a case of pulmonary blastoma with literature revision.
Topics: Biopsy; Female; Humans; Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Pulmonary Blastoma; Radiography
PubMed: 17632678
DOI: 10.1016/s0873-2159(15)30358-5 -
Case Reports in Oncological Medicine 2015Background. Pulmonary blastoma is a rare lung tumor similar to fetal lung tissues. Surgical resection at early stage is more curative than other treatments, but there is...
Background. Pulmonary blastoma is a rare lung tumor similar to fetal lung tissues. Surgical resection at early stage is more curative than other treatments, but there is no standard treatment in unresectable cases. We show a case treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel plus bevacizumab. Case. A 68-year-old man received surgical resection and was diagnosed with biphasic pulmonary blastoma (pT3N0M0 stage IIB). Metastasis to the spleen was detected six weeks after the surgery. Carboplatin, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab were administered and showed an effect on the metastasis. Four courses of the chemotherapy were completed, but a metastasis was found and the metastatic tumor in the spleen was enlarged. After that, chemotherapy was not effective afterward and he died of the progression of biphasic pulmonary blastoma on the 292nd day of illness. Conclusion. In this case, chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel plus bevacizumab was temporarily efficacious for biphasic pulmonary blastoma.
PubMed: 26075125
DOI: 10.1155/2015/842621 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2019Pleuropulmonary blastomas (PPB) are pediatric, embryonal cancers of the lung parenchyma and pleural surfaces and are among the most common DICER1-related disorders.... (Review)
Review
Pleuropulmonary blastomas (PPB) are pediatric, embryonal cancers of the lung parenchyma and pleural surfaces and are among the most common DICER1-related disorders. These tumors undergo evolution through several forms, allowing division into types I, Ir, II, and III, with correlates to the age of diagnosis and prognosis. We sought to provide a comprehensive review of the relevant literature describing the characteristics of these tumors and their multidisciplinary treatment, with an emphasis on surgical management. We describe the complementary roles of chemotherapy and surgery in the successful management of this disease. We discuss the timing of surgery and options for surgical approaches. We address the differentiation of PPB from congenital pulmonary airway malformation and the role of DICER1 testing for children with pulmonary cysts.
PubMed: 31349569
DOI: 10.3390/children6080086