Skip to main content
An official website of the United States government
Español
Government Funding Lapse
Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.

The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov.

Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at opm.gov.

pleuropulmonary blastoma

(PLOOR-oh-PUL-muh-NAYR-ee blas-TOH-muh)
A rare, fast-growing cancer that forms in the tissues of the lung and pleura (the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and lines the inside of the chest). It may also form in the organs between the lungs, including the heart, aorta, and pulmonary artery, or in the diaphragm. Pleuropulmonary blastoma may sometimes spread to other parts of the body, especially to the brain. It usually occurs in infants and young children. Some patients with pleuropulmonary blastoma have mutations (changes) in a gene called DICER1.
Drawing showing areas where pleuropulmonary blastoma may form, including the aorta, pulmonary artery, lung, heart, pleura, and diaphragm. Also shown is cancer in the left lung.Enlarge this image in new window
Pleuropulmonary blastoma is a rare, fast-growing cancer that forms in the tissues of the lung and pleura (the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and lines the inside of the chest). It may also form in the organs between the lungs, including the heart, aorta, and pulmonary artery, or in the diaphragm (the main breathing muscle below the lungs). Pleuropulmonary blastoma usually occurs in infants and young children.
Search NCI's Dictionary of Cancer Terms