Clear cell "sugar" tumor of the lung: a well-enhanced mass with an early washout pattern on dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography

J Korean Med Sci. 2008 Dec;23(6):1121-4. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2008.23.6.1121. Epub 2008 Dec 23.

Abstract

Clear cell tumor of the lung is a rare and very unusual benign pulmonary tumor. As clear cell tumor of the lung contains abundant cytoplasmic glycogen, this tumor is called "sugar tumor". We report a case of sugar tumor in a 64-yr-old man presenting as a round pulmonary nodule. On dynamic computed tomography (CT) scans, the solitary pulmonary nodule showed early wash-in enhancement with an early washout pattern like a lung malignancy. The patient underwent wedge resection for the tumor. Pathologic examination, including immunohistochemical studies, revealed that the nodule was a benign clear cell tumor, so-called "sugar tumor". Because only a small number of cases have been reported previously, clinical aspects, radiological characteristics on dynamic contrast-enhanced CT, and differential diagnosis of the tumor are not well established. Herein we present a clear cell tumor of the lung and discuss the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of the tumor.

Keywords: Clear Cell Tumor; Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced CT; Lung; Sugar Tumor; Washout Pattern.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / surgery
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Melanoma-Specific Antigens
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms / pathology
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / diagnosis
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / diagnostic imaging*
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Melanoma-Specific Antigens
  • Neoplasm Proteins