Large cell carcinoma of the lung pathophysiology

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]

Overview

Large cell carcinoma of the lung arises from the epithelial cells of the lung, which are usually involved in the lining of the airways. The pathological irritation causes the mucus-secreting ciliated pseudostratified columnar respiratory epithelial cells to be replaced by stratified squamous epithelium. Large cell carcinoma of the lung has a peripheral location, and usually appears as a well-circumcised mass attached to the thoracic wall. Large cell carcinoma of the lung is a rapidly growing cancer. The histologic subtype of large cell neuroendocrine tumor is related with a more aggressive presentation. Genes involved in the pathogenesis of large cell carcinoma of the lung include several oncogenes, such as: EGFR, EML-4, KRAS, HER2, and ALK. On gross pathology, large cell carcinoma of the lung is characterized by well-defined borders, spherical morphology, homogeneous gray-white surface, and bulging appearance. On micropathology, large cell carcinoma of the lung is characterized by the larger size of the anaplastic cells, a higher cytoplasmic-to-nuclear size ratio, and a lack of "salt-and-pepper" chromatin. On immunohistochemistry characteristic features of large cell carcinoma of the lung, include: loss of staining with CK5/6, and positive immunoreactivity to EGFR, PDGFR-alpha, and c-kit.[1]

Pathogenesis

  • Large cell carcinoma of the lung arises from the epithelial cells of the lung, which are usually involved in the lining of the airways
  • The pathological irritation causes the mucus-secreting ciliated pseudostratified columnar respiratory epithelial cells to be replaced by stratified squamous epithelium
  • Large cell carcinoma of the lung has a peripheral location, and usually appears as a well-circumcised mass attached to the thoracic wall
  • Large cell carcinoma of the lung is a rapidly growing cancer
  • The histologic subtype of large cell neuroendocrine tumor is related with a more aggressive presentation[1]

Genetics

  • Development of large cell carcinoma of the lung is the result of multiple genetic mutations[1]
  • Genetic mutations play an important role in the treatment selection for large cell carcinoma of the lung
  • Genes involved in the pathogenesis of large cell carcinoma of the lung, include:[2]

Associated Conditions

  • Conditions associated with large cell carcinoma of the lung, include:[3]
  • Paraneoplasic syndromes, such as:
  • Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy
  • Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone production
  • Cushing’s syndrome
  • Carcinoid syndrome

Gross Pathology

  • On gross pathology, findings associated with large cell carcinoma of the lung, include:[4]
  • Well-defined borders
  • Spherical morphology
  • Homogeneous gray-white surface
  • Bulging appearance
  • Size greater than 4cm

Microscopic Pathology

  • On microscopic pathology, findings associated with large cell carcinoma of the lung, include:[4]
  • Larger size of the anaplastic cells
  • A higher cytoplasmic-to-nuclear size ratio
  • Lack of "salt-and-pepper" chromatin
  • On inmunohistochemistry, findings associated with large cell carcinoma of the lung, include:[4]
  • Loss of staining with CK5/6
  • Positive immunoreactivity to EGFR, PDGFR-alpha, and c-kit

Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Davidson MR, Gazdar AF, Clarke BE (2013). "The pivotal role of pathology in the management of lung cancer". J Thorac Dis. 5 Suppl 5: S463–78. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2013.08.43. PMC 3804871. PMID 24163740.
  2. Shi WY, Liu KD, Xu SG, Zhang JT, Yu LL, Xu KQ, Zhang TF (2014). "Gene expression analysis of lung cancer". Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 18 (2): 217–28. PMID 24488911.
  3. Kanaji N, Watanabe N, Kita N, Bandoh S, Tadokoro A, Ishii T, Dobashi H, Matsunaga T (2014). "Paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer". World J Clin Oncol. 5 (3): 197–223. doi:10.5306/wjco.v5.i3.197. PMC 4127595. PMID 25114839.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Miller YE (2005). "Pathogenesis of lung cancer: 100 year report". Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 33 (3): 216–23. doi:10.1165/rcmb.2005-0158OE. PMC 2715312. PMID 16107574.


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