A case of amylase-producing small cell lung cancer

• Amylase can be considered as a tumor marker reflecting response to chemotherapy and disease relapse.
• Amylase mRNA from lung cancer was transcribed from salivary type gene, indicated that lung cancer cells can produce salivary type amylase, rather than the more common type of pancreatic amylase.
• We should consider malignancy-associated hyperamylasemia when pancreatic lesions have been excluded.

ObjectivesTo assess the relationship between amylase level and small cell lung cancer in a patient with hyperamylasemia of non-pancreatic disease.Design and MethodsCase report with correlation analysis between hyperamylasemia and small cell lung cancer while considering immunohistochemistry study and response to chemotherapy.ResultsWe observed a strong correlation between amylase levels and small cell lung cancer. Immunohistochemistry findings suggested that amylase was produced by the lung cancer in this case.ConclusionsAmylase can be considered as a tumor marker reflecting response to chemotherapy and disease relapse.