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 11 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.