The combination of Young's syndrome and small cell lung cancer-A spiky connection?

Abstract

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma typically associated with smoking. The incidence of the disease has reduced in recent years in Western Europe as smoking habits have changed [1]. SCLC in never smokers is rare and aetiology unclear. Young's syndrome is another rare condition, characterized by chronic sinopulmonary infection and obstructive azoospermia. The pathobiology of this is also poorly understood. Here we describe a case of both Young syndrome and SCLC in a never smoker, and raise the possibility of a common aetiology underpinned by aberrant hedgehog signalling.