A case report on bronchoalveolar carcinoma presenting as non-resolving consolidation
65 year old male, smoker, farmer by occupation, had four months productive cough. Sputum was mucoid and copious. The patient had weight loss for 6 months and progressive exertional dyspnoea and fatigue, malaise for 4 months. He had no history of fever, chills and rigors. There was no history of haemoptysis, chest pain, and hoarseness of voice or symptoms suggestive of superior vena syndrome. He had no history of alcohol abuse or any documented primary malignancy as per records. The patient's symptoms did not respond to repeated courses of antibiotics taken initially at peripheral health centre where he was diagnosed as a case of community acquired pneumonia and referred from PHC to General hospital for the same.\nOn physical examination, patient was asthenic in built, afebrile, acyanotic, was euphonic, bronchial breathing on right mammary region and absent air entry in to inframamary region. His pulse rate was 88bpm, Blood pressure 110/80mmHg respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute and body temperature was 37.6 °C. There was no localised wheeze or digital clubbing. CBC showed mild anaemia. Liver and kidney function tests and kidney function tests were within normal limits. Serial chest x-rays revealed right sided non resolving consolidation. For evaluation of non-resolving pneumonia fibre optic bronchoscopy was done. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and biopsy from lung lesion showed bronchoalveolar carcinoma. HRCT revealed consolidation in right lower zone. Sputum and blood culture tests did not reveal any micro organisms. Hence diagnosis of bronchoalveolar carcinoma was made. Patient was treated with a course of chemotherapy with good response.