Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma in an 8-Year-Old Boy: A Rare Case Report with Review of Literature

Abstract

Lung cancer typically affects older adults, with occurrences in children being extremely rare. In adolescents, metastatic lung disease is more common than primary lung cancers. The pathological spectrum of lung cancer in children varies, with small-cell carcinoma being a rare type, accounting for around 4.5% of cases. An 8-year-old boy, previously healthy, presented with moderate-intensity, short-duration chest pain on the left side. Histomorphology, immunohistochemistry characteristics, and fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed the diagnosis of extensive-stage small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). The patient responded positively to six cycles of chemotherapy with etoposide and carboplatin, resulting in the resolution of symptoms. This case underscores the rare instance of SCLC in the pediatric population, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges due to nonspecific symptoms and the necessity for aggressive treatment. It highlights the importance of adapting adult SCLC treatment protocols for pediatric patients to enhance prognosis, given the limited specific guidelines available.

Keywords

small-cell lung carcinoma - pediatric - metastatic lung disease - histomorphology - chemotherapy

Authors' Contributions

M.G., S.B., and G.M.B. worked toward managing and following up with the patient. M.G. and R.R. had the inception of the idea of writing the case. S.D. and M.G. wrote the manuscript. G.M.B. edited and fine-tuned the manuscript. S.B. helped in the diagnosis of the disease.

Ethical Approval

The current study was approved by the institutional review board (IEC/P-835/2024) at the NIMS University, Rajasthan, Jaipur. Written informed consent for publication of this case report and any accompanying images was obtained from the patient's legal guardians.

Patient Consent

Informed consent was provided by the guardian's of the patient.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
19. Dezember 2024

• References

• 1 Hancock BJ, Di Lorenzo M, Youssef S, Yazbeck S, Marcotte JE, Collin PP. Childhood primary pulmonary neoplasms. J Pediatr Surg 1993; 28 (09) 1133-1136
• 2 Neville HL, Hogan AR, Zhuge Y. et al. Incidence and outcomes of malignant pediatric lung neoplasms. J Surg Res 2009; 156 (02) 224-230
• 3 Travis WD, Brambilla E, Nicholson AG. et al; WHO Panel. The 2015 World Health Organization Classification of Lung Tumors: Impact of Genetic, Clinical and Radiologic Advances Since the 2004 Classification. J Thorac Oncol 2015; 10 (09) 1243-1260
• 4 Tischer W, Reddemann H, Herzog P. et al. Experience in surgical treatment of pulmonary and bronchial tumours in childhood. Prog Pediatr Surg 1987; 21: 118-135
• 5 Dishop MK, Kuruvilla S. Primary and metastatic lung tumors in the pediatric population: a review and 25-year experience at a large children's hospital. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2008; 132 (07) 1079-1103
• 6 Govindan R, Page N, Morgensztern D. et al. Changing epidemiology of small-cell lung cancer in the United States over the last 30 years: analysis of the surveillance, epidemiologic, and end results database. J Clin Oncol 2006; 24 (28) 4539-4544
• 7 Johnson BE, Grayson J, Makuch RW. et al. Ten-year survival of patients with small-cell lung cancer treated with combination chemotherapy with or without irradiation. J Clin Oncol 1990; 8 (03) 396-401
• 8 Lassen U, Osterlind K, Hansen M, Dombernowsky P, Bergman B, Hansen HH. Long-term survival in small-cell lung cancer: posttreatment characteristics in patients surviving 5 to 18+ years—an analysis of 1,714 consecutive patients. J Clin Oncol 1995; 13 (05) 1215-1220
• 9 Jett JR, Schild SE, Kesler KA, Kalemkerian GP. Treatment of small cell lung cancer: Diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest 2013; 143 (5, suppl): e400S-e419S
• 10 Lal DR, Clark I, Shalkow J. et al. Primary epithelial lung malignancies in the pediatric population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2005; 45 (05) 683-686
• 11 Vitale GC. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and the surgeon. Interventional endoscopy in the management of complex hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease. Surg Endosc 1998; 12 (05) 387-389
• 12 Smith A, Steinmaus C, Liaw J. et al. Early childhood carcinogenic exposures causing lung cancer in young adults. Epidemiology 2006; 17 (06) S316-S317
• 13 Verma S, Kalra K, Rastogi S, Sidhu HS. Clinical approach to childhood mediastinal tumors and management. Mediastinum 2020; 4: 21
• 14 Rekhi B, Vogel U, Basak R, Desai SB, Jambhekar NA. Clinicopathological and molecular spectrum of Ewing sarcomas/PNETs, including validation of EWSR1 rearrangement by conventional and array FISH technique in certain cases. Pathol Oncol Res 2014; 20 (03) 503-516
• 15 Trønnes H, Haugland HK, Békássy AN, Helle SI, Sorbye H. Small cell lung cancer in a 14-year-old girl. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2012; 34 (02) e86-e88