A case of ectopic amylase-producing lung cancer

A case of amylase-producing lung cancer is reported. A 58-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of abnormal shadow on chest X-rays. Transbronchial lung biopsy showed adenocarcinoma at the right upper lobe. Amylase levels were elevated to 915 IU/l in the serum and 960 IU/l in urine. Amylase isozyme pattern identified "salivary-type" amylase. Right upper lobectomy was performed. Both serum and urine, amylase levels were decreased within normal limits after operation. Enzyme labeled immunoperoxidase method on this specimen proved that tumor cells were producing amylase ectopically.