Pulmonary blastoma

A pulmonary blastoma describes a biphasic primary lung neoplasm and belongs to the group of sarcomatoid lung carcinomas. This tumor type was diagnosed in about 350 patients and only about 0.25% of all primary malignant lung tumors.

Pulmonary blastoma occurs almost exclusively in adults over 40 years of age. In addition, an association with tobacco use can usually be established.

The disease is characterized by non-specific respiratory symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, and hemoptysis. The other symptoms include fever, weight loss, dyspnoea and recurrent pneumonia. However, in 40% of cases, a pneumoblastoma is diagnosed prior to the onset of symptoms by chest X-ray.

The pulmonary blastomas usually appear well demarcated and disseminated in the lungs. They have cystic and necrotic features. Metastasis usually affects the brain, lymph nodes, and liver.

Pulmonary blastomas are aggressive tumors, which is why the prognosis is rather unfavorable.