Unique metastases of ALK mutated lung cancer activated to the adnexa of the uterus

Abstract

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a relatively novel molecular subtype in lung cancer. ALK targeted therapies such as crizotinib increase survival benefit in this patient population. However, further understanding of the disease subtype including patterns of metastasis and pathways of treatment resistance are needed. We describe a 50 year-old-woman diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC, T2N3M1b, ALK fusion positive disease. Although her initial sites of metastasis included the liver and bone, her story is notable for crizotinib resistant growth of a metastatic lesion to her adnexa. This report brings to attention unique mechanisms of metastasis in ALK positive patients.