Spindle Cell Carcinoma Presenting as a Massive Pleural Effusion.

ABSTRACT

The lung's sarcomatoid carcinomas (SC) are a heterogeneous sporadic group of non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) and are very challenging to diagnose and treat. Spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) is a very rare subset of this group. Hence, the prognosis and treatments are unclear due to the limited literature available. The presentation of this cancer varies based on the site of the neoplasm and the complications and metastases observed at the time of diagnosis. Here, we report a 73-year-old man who presented to the emergency room after two months of worsening dyspnea and fatigue. Chest X-ray showed an extensive left-sided pleural effusion. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest showed a pleural-based mass that came back as SpCC, for which he was referred to a university hospital.