Primary hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the lung in Yungui Plateau, China: A case report

BACKGROUND Hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAC) occurs in extrahepatic organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, testes, ovaries, lungs, mediastinum and pancreas, and frequently produces alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). HAC of the lung (HAL) is rare, characterized by difficult treatment and poor prognosis. There are no reports of HAL in Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, China. CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old male patient was clinically diagnosed with HAL pT3N0M0, stage IIB. Chest computed tomography revealed a 7.5 cm x 7.2 cm soft tissue mass located in the right lung upper lobe and the adjacent superior mediastinum. Right upper lobectomy was performed. The diagnosis of HAL was confirmed by pathological examination, and the patient received paclitaxel and carboplatin as adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery. CONCLUSION Clinical manifestations, pathological features, imaging findings, auxiliary examination, and treatment planning of HAL are presented to help clinicians improve their diagnosis and treatment.