Overview
Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung (WDFA) is an extremely rare type of lung cancer. It is also known as "fetal lung adenocarcinoma" or "pulmonary blastoma, well-differentiated fetal type." This tumor gets its name because the cancer cells look similar to the lung tissue of a developing fetus (usually resembling fetal lungs at around 10 to 16 weeks of pregnancy). Unlike many other lung cancers, WDFA tends to occur in younger adults and is not as strongly linked to smoking, though some patients do have a smoking history. The tumor usually appears as a single mass in the lung and may cause symptoms such as cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, or shortness of breath. However, some patients have no symptoms at all, and the tumor is found incidentally on imaging done for other reasons. The good news is that WDFA generally has a much better prognosis than most other types of lung cancer. Surgical removal of the tumor is the main treatment, and when the cancer is caught early and completely removed, the outlook is often very favorable. Recurrence can happen but is less common than in other lung cancers. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are sometimes considered for advanced cases, but surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment. Because this tumor is so rare, treatment decisions are often made on a case-by-case basis by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Persistent coughCoughing up blood (hemoptysis)Chest painShortness of breathWheezingUnexplained weight lossFatigueRecurrent lung infectionsNo symptoms at all (found by chance on imaging)
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
1 eventFusilev: FDA approved
For use in combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil in the palliative treatment of patients with advanced metastatic colorectal cancer
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
1 resourcesFusilev
Acrotech Biopharma LLC
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung
No recent news articles for Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What stage is my tumor, and has it spread beyond the lung?,Is surgery the best option for me, and what type of surgery do you recommend?,Has the pathologist confirmed this is the well-differentiated type and not a more aggressive variant?,Will I need chemotherapy or radiation after surgery?,How often will I need follow-up scans, and for how long?,Are there any clinical trials available for this type of lung cancer?,What symptoms should I watch for that might indicate the cancer has come back?
Common questions about Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung
What is Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung?
Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung (WDFA) is an extremely rare type of lung cancer. It is also known as "fetal lung adenocarcinoma" or "pulmonary blastoma, well-differentiated fetal type." This tumor gets its name because the cancer cells look similar to the lung tissue of a developing fetus (usually resembling fetal lungs at around 10 to 16 weeks of pregnancy). Unlike many other lung cancers, WDFA tends to occur in younger adults and is not as strongly linked to smoking, though some patients do have a smoking history. The tumor usually appears as a single mass in the lung a
How is Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung inherited?
Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung typically begin?
Typical onset of Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
What treatment and support options exist for Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Well-differentiated fetal adenocarcinoma of the lung. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.