A case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor with repeated recurrence and metastasis

: A 37-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic pulmonary nodule. A pulmonary S8 segmentectomy was performed. Recurrence and metastasis were noted every 6 months after surgery; repeat surgeries were performed at 18, 24, and 36 months. On histopathological examination, the tumor showed spindle cell proliferation with infiltration of various inflammatory cells, and was diagnosed as inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT). An IMT is defined as a tumor of intermediate biological potential, which may sometimes metastasize. It is necessary to note the potential for metastasis in the future, especially in cases with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-negative immunohistological staining, where the tumor grade can be high.