Cytomorphology of pulmonary low-grade fetal adenocarcinoma in bronchial brushing specimen prepared by BD SurePath: A case report and literature review

Diagn Cytopathol. 2024 Jan;52(1):E7-E11. doi: 10.1002/dc.25230. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

Abstract

Low-grade fetal adenocarcinoma (LGFA) of the lung is a rare subtype of lung adenocarcinoma, resembling developing fetal lung in pseudoglandular stage. LGFA is very different to conventional adenocarcinoma. It is more likely to occur in young adults and has favorable prognosis. Reports on the cytology of LGFA are very rare; only 10 cases have been reported previously in the English literature. Our case report adds to the cytological features of this tumor sampled by bronchial brushing and is the first case prepared by the BD SurePath liquid-based cytology. We present a case of 31-year-old male with endobronchial involvement of right bronchus. The cytological features of diagnostic clues for LGFA include three dimensional glandular arrangements of uniform, columnar cells with inconspicuous nucleoli. It is important to recognize this rare and favorable variant of lung adenocarcinoma. In this report, we present the cytological and pathological features of LGFA, along with a literature review.

Keywords: bronchial brushing; cytology; liquid-based cytology; low-grade fetal adenocarcinoma; lung.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung* / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma* / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma* / pathology
  • Adult
  • Bronchi / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Male
  • Young Adult