Non-neoplastic inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung after immunotherapy for melanoma: A diagnostic pitfall on fine needle aspiration biopsy of lung

Diagn Cytopathol. 2021 Oct;49(10):1150-1154. doi: 10.1002/dc.24846. Epub 2021 Jul 31.

Abstract

Nivolumab is commonly used as monotherapy or in combination therapy for management of locally advanced or metastatic melanoma; however, it is also associated with immunotherapy-related adverse events concerning for disease progression or tumor flare reaction. This report presents a case of a non-neoplastic pseudotumor of the lung initially mistaken for malignancy that occurred in a patient receiving adjuvant nivolumab therapy following complete resection of stage IIIB melanoma. The diagnosis was made by lung biopsy and confirmed by a wedge resection, with findings consistent with organizing pneumonia type of pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumor rather than malignancy.

Keywords: immunotherapy; melanoma; pseudotumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / adverse effects*
  • Inflammation / pathology*
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Male
  • Melanoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Melanoma / therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nivolumab / adverse effects
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Nivolumab