Pulmonary blastoma is a rare type of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Less than one in a hundred (1%) of all non small cell lung cancers are pulmonary blastomas. It should not be confused with pleuropulmonary blastoma, a different condition that mainly affects children.
It is not known what causes this type of lung cancer. Smoking tobacco seems to increase the risk but, people who don't smoke can also be affected.
Pulmonary blastoma tends to affect people at a younger age than more common types of lung cancer, but it is also diagnosed in older people. The average age at diagnosis is between 40 and 60 years of age. It also seem to affect women more often than men.
The most common symptoms are:
- cough
- breathlessness
- coughing up blood
- chest pain
- voice changes.
Treatment is similar to that used for other types of non-small cell lung cancer. Factors that help doctors choose the most appropriate treatment include the size of the cancer, where it is in the lung and whether it has spread. This is called the stage of the cancer. Your age and general health and fitness are also important.
If the cancer has not spread the main treatment is surgery.
If the cancer has spread or if an operation is not possible radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be used. These treatments are usually given to try to shrink the cancer and help to control symptoms.
References
- Adluri, R et al. (2006). Pulmonary blastoma – a rare tumour with variable presentation. European journal of cardiothoracic surgery 29; 236-239
- Travis, W et al. (2004) Pathology and genetics of tumours of the lung, pleura, thymus and heart. World Health Organisation classification of tumours series. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
- Force, S and Paterson, GA. (2003) Clinical-pathologic conference in general thoracic surgery: Pulmonary blastoma. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 126(5); 1247-1251