# Therapeutic Effect of Tranilast on Lung Tumors Suspected of Being Staple Line Granulomas: Report of Two Cases

## TL;DR

Two patients with lung tumors near surgical staple lines showed tumor resolution after taking tranilast, suggesting it may help treat staple line granulomas.

## Contribution

Demonstrates tranilast as a potential safe and effective treatment for staple line granulomas in lung surgery patients.

## Key findings

- A lung tumor near a staple line in a 71-year-old woman resolved after tranilast treatment.
- A nodule near a staple line in a 70-year-old woman also disappeared after tranilast use.
- Tranilast may be a safe and effective treatment for staple line granulomas with proper monitoring.

## Abstract

A staple line granuloma (SG) in the lung, which arises adjacent to a staple line after lung surgery, is often difficult to differentiate from a stump recurrence. We report two cases of lung tumors that were suspected of being SGs, and the tumors resolved after the use of oral tranilast.

Case 1 is a 71-year-old woman who underwent a right S8 segmentectomy for lung adenocarcinoma (pT1miN0M0, stage IA1). A follow-up chest computed tomography (CT) scan, which was performed 9 months after surgery, revealed a mass adjacent to the staple line. The lesion disappeared by the 3rd month after administration of tranilast with no recurrence. Case 2 is a 70-year-old woman who underwent wedge resection for metastatic lung cancer originating from renal cancer. A follow-up chest CT scan, which we obtained 8 months after surgery, revealed a nodule adjacent to the staple line. The lesion disappeared by the 4th month after administration of tranilast with no recurrence.

Administration of tranilast can be a safe and effective diagnostic treatment for SG, when the treatment is performed with strict imaging follow-up and histologic biopsy in mind.