Colloid adenocarcinoma of the lung

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Colloid adenocarcinoma of the lung is an extremely rare (i.e. only accounting for ~0.2% of all lung cancers) variant of invasive lung adenocarcinoma.

Pathology

It is histologically characterized by the presence of abundant mucus in the tumor with neoplastic cells seen floating in large pools of mucus and focally lining alveolar spaces.

Radiographic features

Due to its rarity, there are only limited publications on its imaging appearances.

CT

Limited reports suggest this can look like a mass with poor/scant contrast enhancement with attenuation from around -16 to 20 HU (median ~9 HU) .

MRI

Not usually performed in thoracic imaging but if performed may show:

T1: low intensity
T2: high intensity (might be from the mucus component)

Nuclear medicine

May show curvilinear or crisscross FDG uptake where tumor cells line walls or septal structures .