Implantation metastasis caused by fine needle aspiration biopsy following curative resection of stage IB non-small cell lung cancer

Fine needle aspiration is a useful procedure in the diagnosis of lung cancer. however controversy still remains as to whether it should be employed particularly in patients with operable lung cancer. We report herein a case of metastatic tumor at the site of transthoracic needle biopsy following a curative resection in a patient with stage IB bronchogenic carcinoma. The patient was managed with aggressive chest wall resection and subsequent musculocutaneus flap transposition. however he died I I months after the initial operation. The tumor implantation risk and the related complications should be considered in patients with operable bronchogenic carcinoma undergoing a tranthoracic needle aspiration biopsy. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.