A rare lung nodule consisting of adenocarcinoma and amyloid deposition in a patient with primary systemic AL amyloidosis

Abstract

A 60-year-old woman was found to have proteinuria and a lung nodule. The surgically resected left upper lobe contained a nodule, in which the adenocarcinoma was surrounded by a heavy deposition of amyloid. Subsequent renal and gastric biopsies demonstrated amyloid deposition with Aλ immunoreactivity. She was treated with 2 courses of VAD (vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone), resulting in the disappearance of Bence Jones proteinuria. Her nephrotic syndrome has been improving during the subsequent 3 years. The rare lung nodule consisting of adenocarcinoma and amyloid deposition was a diagnostic clue in this primary systemic AL amyloidosis patient.