Cases of Pathology-Proven Lung Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Pneumonic Pattern

ABSTRACT

Lung adenocarcinoma is the cancer originated in terminal bronchiole or alveolar epithelium and its incidence is on the increase. The most common radiologic pattern of lung adenocarcinoma is peripheral nodule or mass, but it can be showed various findings such as hilar mass, consolidation, atelectasis or multicentric lesions. Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate lung adenocarcinoma from other diseases, especially pneumonia. We experienced three patients with lung adenocarcinoma, just only presented as pneumonic consolidation on chest X-ray and CT scan. The clinician should consider seriously lung adenocarcinoma including bronchioloalveolar carcinoma in patients who did not respond to antibiotics. And in such cases, pathologic diagnosis must be perfomed at proper time to confirm disease.