Clinical Presentation and Treatment Options for Clear Cell Lung Cancer: University of Cincinnati A Case Series and Literature Review of Clear Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Clear cell carcinomas are common finding in renal, ovarian and uterine carcinomas. However, clear cell lung<br />cancer (CCLC), first described by Liebow and Castleman in 1963, is considered an extremely rare variant of lung<br />tumors. The 2011 WHO classification of lung tumors considered CCLC as a rare cytologic feature of squamous cell<br />or adenocarcinomas. It is no longer recognized as a formal subtype, albeit it can be referred to in the pathological<br />diagnosis as “with clear cell features" even with marginal fractions of the tumor cells. Such recognition is needed<br />since the variation in clinical features and outcome in this subset of patients. The disease has a clinically vague natural<br />history, is characterized by slight female predominance and is often seen in the elderly. As frequently encountered with<br />rare diseases, its clinical course and treatment options have many questions still yet to be answered. In this paper, we<br />review both the natural history and treatment options mentioned in literature, in the light of our experience by reporting<br />a case series of four patients diagnosed with CCLC and highlight their aspects.