[A case of sarcoidosis with elevated SCC antigen in the serum and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid which was difficult to distinguish from lung cancer].

A case of sarcoidosis with a high level of SCC antigen in the serum and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) which was difficult to distinguish from lung cancer is reported. A 66-year-old female was admitted with a fever, sputum and coughing. Chest X-ray on admission showed bilateral hilar swelling and infiltrative shadows in the left lower lung. Chest CT showed bilateral lymph node enlargement and a localized nodular mass. The level of SCC antigen in the serum and BALF was high. Initially she was suspected of having lung cancer, but she was subsequently diagnosed as having sarcoidosis from a bronchial biopsy specimen, BALF and gallium scintigraphy. It was difficult to distinguish this case showing lymph node enlargement and mass shadow from lung cancer. Although this is a rarely reported case of sarcoidosis with a high level of SCC antigen in the serum and BALF, it is possible that SCC antigen may be elevated in patients with benign inflammatory lung disease due to various interactions of cytokines.