Background and aims: Pulmonary Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) accounts for 0.1-0.2% of all lung cancer. It occurred in the 3-78 years old, and 50% patients younger than 30. MEC has no standard treatment, but recently reports indicated MEC without epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations sensitive to gefitinib.
Objectives: To explore a new standard treatment strategy for MEC, after reviewed literature related to MEC, we used Gefitinib to treatment a patient with EGFR-negative MEC, and observe its effects.
Methods: 10-year-old boy was diagnosed with low-grade MEC by bronchial lung biopsy, EGFR gene mutation test was negative. Gefitinib was administered as neoadjuvant therapy at 125 mg daily.
Results: The patient underwent right middle lobe, lower lobe resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection. After surgery, the patient had gained weight (5 kg) after 18 days of gefitinib therapy. A CT scan of the chest 1 month after surgical resection showed no recurrence, and followed for 22 months after treatment without tumour recurrence, suggesting that the patient was completely cured.
Conclusion: Gefitinib has potential to become a standard treatment for pulmonary MEC patients, including pediatric patients. However, the mechanisms need further investigation.
Keywords: CRTC1-MAML2; EGFR-TKI; lung cancer; mucoepidermoid carcinoma; pediatric.
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.