Published online Jul 26, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i14.1899
Peer-review started: March 26, 2019
First decision: April 18, 2019
Revised: May 10, 2019
Accepted: May 23, 2019
Article in press: May 23, 2019
Published online: July 26, 2019
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one the most common subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer, yet the treatment options for it remain limited. Here, we report a case of advanced SCC and review the related literature focusing on the multiline therapy method.
We report the case of a 45-year-old man with advanced SCC who was deemed inoperable at the time of advanced SCC diagnosis. The patient had been referred to our hospital in April 2013 with complaints of a stuffy feeling in the chest, dyspnea, and pain in the right shoulder lasting for 1 mo. Physical examination found no obvious abnormalities, except for lower breath sound in the right lower lung. Laboratory data were within normal limits. Immunohistochemistry analysis of the tumor tissue showed CK5/6 (+), p63 (+), CD56 (+), and Ki-67 (+, approximately 30%), and genetic testing detected no EGFR mutation. He received a multiline treatment that included chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and antiangiogenic therapy. After more than 5-year comprehensive treatment, the patient remains alive.
This typical case highlights the importance of appropriate multiline therapy for those patients with advanced SCC.
Core tip: Patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have a poor prognosis and their treatment options are limited. Nab-paclitaxel has a superior antitumor effect and plays a significant role in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer, especially SCC; radiotherapy, anaplastic lymphoma kinase-targeted therapy, and antiangiogenic therapy also make a great contribution to the patients’ survival. We should attach importance to multiline therapy and be flexible in our choice of the most suitable therapy method for those patients with SCC, including advanced cases.