[A rare primary pulmonary tumor: pleomorphic carcinoma].

Introduction: Pleomorphic carcinoma is a rare malignancy in the family of non-small cell lung cancers.

Case: This 65-year-old woman, a nonsmoker, was hospitalized for hemoptysis and weight loss. Computed tomography showed a peripheral tumor of the right upper lobe, and the radiography showed signs of malignancy. Pathologic examination of the transparietal biopsy confirmed the tumor diagnosis, classifying it as stage III A. The patient underwent 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy that combined gemcitabine and cisplatin. Disease progression continued, however, and distant metastases were observed. The patient died 4 months after diagnosis.

Discussion: Pleomorphic carcinoma is identified by purely histologic criteria: the concomitant presence of malignant epithelial and homologous sarcomatoid spindle-cell components. Like the other non-small cell lung cancers, treatment is primarily surgical, and the invasive character of this tumor makes it very difficult. Pleomorphic carcinoma has a poorer prognosis than conventional non-small cell lung cancers despite surgery, irradiation and chemotherapy, because relapse occurs early.