Masaharu Nishimura a, Hokkaido Lung Cancer Clinical Study Group

Background: Pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung is a malignant epithelial tumor that contains carcinomatous and sarcomatoid components. Due to its rarity, few studies have been reported, and its clinical and pathological characteristics remain unclear. Method: We retrospectively investigated 22 cases of pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung. Results: Fifteen cases were diagnosed by surgical resection, four by autopsy, and three by transbronchial biopsy. Nineteen patients were male and three were female, and their mean age at diagnosis was 68.3 years ( ± 10.1). Eighteen were current- or ex-smokers with substantial smoking histories (mea