Lung tumours are among the most common malignancies with high mortality rates in both males and females.1 This case report discusses a female patient suffering from adenocarcinoma with an initial favourable staging and an indication for resection. Regardless, the tumour was up-staged per-operatively and radical surgical treatment was contraindicated.
Multidisciplinary team of specialists, and an outstanding clinical and psychological state of the patient played major roles in the decision-making process regarding treat ment. The patient completed the first line of standard chemotherapy followed by total brain irradiation for multiple metastases.
Following the detection of the mutation in the ALK gene and newly available adequate therapies, the patient completed her first year of treatment with crizotinib. After a neurosurgical extirpation of newly developed intramedullary metastases in the thoracic spine, treatment with alectinib was initiated, having a persistent effect without any significant side effects.