Primary bronchial myeloid sarcoma mimicking bronchogenic carcinoma: a case report

BACKGROUND: Myeloid sarcoma (MS) rarely involves the bronchus, and primary bronchial MS has almost never been reported in mainland China. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old female patient was admitted with a 3-month history of cough. She was initially diagnosed with bronchogenic carcinoma according to chest computed tomography (CT). However, after a biopsy was taken from the endobronchial lesion by bronchoscopy and further immunohistochemical analysis was performed, the diagnosis of MS was made. Because her bone marrow was normal and she had no history of haematologic diseases, we further considered the diagnosis of primary bronchial MS. The patient received chemotherapy with HAG regimens, and the original mass completely resolved, as confirmed by chest CT scan after 3 cycles of treatment. Meanwhile, no abnormalities were found on re-examination via bronchoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: MS should be considered in the differential diagnosis in the presence of a suspicious pulmonary mass. Immunohistochemical analysis is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Chemotherapy can lengthen the survival time for patients.