Primary High-Grade Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Lung Mimicking Endobronchial Papilloma: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Primary mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs) of the lung are rare and present a diagnostic challenge. MEC lung comes under the broad classification of primary salivary gland type tumours of the lung. It usually involves large airways and presents clinically and radiologically with non-specific features. We report the case of a 26-year-old female patient wherein an initial clinicoradiological consideration of tuberculosis and biopsy report of endobronchial papilloma led to misdiagnosis and treatment delay. Flexible bronchoscopic biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of MEC following which patient underwent curative pulmonary sleeve resection with good post-operative outcome. Final histopathology revealed high-grade MEC, stage as pT2N0, and thus, patient is receiving cisplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. More studies and reporting of such cases are needed to formulate guidelines and avoid delay in management.