Stereotactic radiotherapy for the treatment of lung cancer with a giant left atrial tumor thrombus: A case report and literature review

Lung cancer presenting with a giant atrial tumor thrombus is particularly rare. Surgical resection, aided by a cardiopulmonary bypass, is the standard treatment of choice if there is no distant metastasis. However, this form of surgery carries a high risk, with the subsequent patient prognosis being extremely poor. The current study describes the case of a 52-year-old man presenting with left lung squamous cell carcinoma that had extended into the left atrium. The patient was treated with stereotactic radiotherapy, and regarding the atrial disease, a complete response was achieved within 12 months. The present case demonstrates that stereotactic radiotherapy may be a beneficial palliative treatment for patients with stage IV lung cancer invading the left atrium.