Metastatic lung cancer in pregnancy - a diagnostic and management challenge: A case report

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer during pregnancy remains an uncommon occurrence. As of 2016, there were less than 70 histologically confirmed lung cancer in pregnancy cases reported in the literature. 

Case presentation: A 29-year-old woman presented with a chronic cough in the second trimester of pregnancy at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) as a referral. Treatment for Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) was initiated in a peripheral facility based on suggestive signs on the chest radiograph. Symptoms persisted while on anti-TB medication. On further evaluation, she was diagnosed with advanced squamous cell lung cancer. The patient went into spontaneous labor and vaginally delivered a fresh stillbirth. She received palliative care, and succumbed from disease progression.  

Conclusion: Lung cancer during pregnancy exhibits similar clinical presentation to prevalent conditions, especially in low-resource and TB prevalent settings, and pose challenges in early diagnosis, and consequently, poor outcome. Chronic cough should raise suspicion for malignancy and prompt investigation.