Pseudoprogression of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Following Neoadjuvant Therapy: A Case Report

Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy is increasingly used in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and has demonstrated improved pathological response rates. However, radiological progression following treatment may result in potentially curative surgery being withheld. We report the case of a 75-year-old male with a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the right lower lobe lung adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant carboplatin, paclitaxel, and nivolumab. Post-treatment CT scan showed radiological progression. The patient underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic right lower lobectomy with posterior segmentectomy. Histopathological examination revealed a complete pathological response with no viable tumor and no nodal involvement. This case highlights the importance of recognizing pseudoprogression in the neoadjuvant setting.