LUNG CANCER DURING PREGNANCY: A CASE REPORT

Lung cancer during pregnancy is a rare condition associated with significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We report the case of a 44-year-old woman at 36 weeks and 4 days of gestation who presented with progressive dyspnea, dry cough, and night sweats evolving for eight months. Chest CT revealed a locally advanced left pulmonary mass with bilateral pleural effusions and carcinomatous lymphangitis. Histopathological examination of a pleural biopsy confirmed pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Following multidisciplinary discussion, labor was induced, resulting in an uncomplicated delivery, and palliative chemotherapy was initiated postpartum. This case highlights the risk of delayed diagnosis due to the overlap between cancer-related symptoms and physiological changes of pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of early investigation of persistent respiratory symptoms.