An amyloid nodule of the lung may be mistaken for lung cancer.
Clinical features:
(1) one or more lung nodules
(2) variable hemoptysis
(3) biopsy material showing amorphous eosinophilic material
(4) testing consistent with amyloidosis (Congo red with green birefringence, mass spectroscopy, monoclonal gammopathy
Clinical findings simplifying the diagnosis:
(1) history of multiple myeloma or systemic amyloidosis
Clinical findings complicating the diagnosis:
(1) no previous history of multiple myeloma or systemic amyloidosis
(2) risk factors for lung cancer
(3) inadequate sampling of the lung mass, or retrieval of necro-inflammatory debris
Pulmonary amyloidosis may take the form of:
(1) nodules
(2) diffuse
(3) alveolar-septal
(4) tracheobronchial
