Lepidic-predominant adenocarcinoma of the lung
Adenocarcinoma pulmonar con patrón de crecimiento lepídico
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Lepidic-predominant adenocarcinoma of the lung presents a diagnostic challenge due to its clinical and radiological similarity to persistent pneumonia. Accurate histological, immunohistochemical and molecular characterization are essential for diagnosis. We present the case of a 50-year-old woman with a history of gynecological cancer who developed progressive dyspnea and multifocal lung consolidations initially misdiagnosed as pneumonia. The lack of response to antibiotics and persistent radiological findings led to invasive studies, which confirmed the diagnosis of mucinous lepidic adenocarcinoma.
This subtype of non-small cell lung cancer is characterized by superficial growth on the alveolar wall, low immunogenicity, and frequent KRAS mutations in mucinous variants. Surgery remains the standard treatment in early stages, while advanced cases have limited therapeutic options, with chemotherapy and palliative care being the main alternatives. Lepidic adenocarcinoma requires high clinical suspicion and a multidisciplinary approach for timely diagnosis and management, particularly in patients with persistent lung consolidations and atypical evolution.
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