Spontaneous regression of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma after thoracoscopic surgery for hemothorax: A case report

Abstract

A 69-year-old man visited our hospital due to left pleural effusion by chest X-ray. Thoracentesis indicated hemothorax and the specimen of pleural effusion confirmed malignant cells. Because anemia became apparent due to persistent bloody pleural effusion, thoracoscopic hemostasis was performed with surgical biopsy for a tumor extending beyond the visceral pleural of the left upper lobe and the patient was finally diagnosed as having a primary pleomorphic carcinoma. Then, the tumor rapidly shrunk and completely resolved in three months. Our case indicates that spontaneous regression possibly develops following thoracoscopic surgery for hemothorax in pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma patients.