[Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma with rapid growth causing death in a short period after surgery; report of a case].

: Pleomorphic carcinoma is rare in the primary lung cancer with a poor prognosis. We reported a resected case of pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung with rapid progression. A 62-year-old male with a tumor shadow in the right lung which had not been noted 9 months before was referred to our hospital. The abnormal shadow was not noted 9 months ago. The tumor located in the right lower lobe and rapidly enlarged from 7.5 cm to 9.5 cm in a month. Right pneumonectomy was necessary, because of the intrapulmonary metastasis in the right upper lobe. Pathological findings showing spindle cells with massive necrosis, were consistent with a diagnosis of pleomorphic carcinoma. Only by 45 days after operation, local recurrence and metastases to the brain, right adrenal gland and small intestine were found, resulting in death at 67 days after operation.