Published online Dec 26, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i24.6444
Peer-review started: August 4, 2020
First decision: August 21, 2020
Revised: September 25, 2020
Accepted: October 20, 2020
Article in press: October 20, 2020
Published online: December 26, 2020
Processing time: 135 Days and 1.9 Hours
Pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) is an invasive fungal disease caused mainly by Cryptococcus (C.) neoformans or C. gattii. It may be present in immunocompetent or immunocompromised patients. The radiographic features of PC vary, and the most common computed tomography manifestation is the presence of solitary or multiple pulmonary nodules or masses distributed in the outer zone of the lung field. The appearance of nodular or mass-like PC on computed tomography scans resembles that of primary or metastatic lung cancers, and differential diagnosis is sometimes difficult. The coexistence of PC and malignant tumors is rarely observed.
This paper reports three cases of PC combined with lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed by video-assisted thoracic surgery lung biopsy, which were successfully managed by early diagnosis and treatment.
The present case report might serve as a reminder not to neglect PC coexisting with adenocarcinoma. Early diagnosis and treatment lead to a better prognosis.
Core Tip: The appearance of nodular or mass-like pulmonary cryptococcosis on computed tomography scans resembles that of primary or metastatic lung cancers, and differential diagnosis is sometimes difficult. To the best of our knowledge, the coexistence of pulmonary cryptococcosis and malignant tumors is rarely reported. However, the possibility of the coexistence of pulmonary cryptococcosis and adenocarcinoma indicates that the pathological results of one lesion cannot represent the characteristics of all lesions. In such cases, close follow-up and biopsy of multiple lesions may be required.