Systems Path Section 6 - Lung Tumors and Pleural Lesions

what is the most common site of metastasis?

lungs

MC lung tumor which is benign and characterized by a single solitary pulmonary nodule called a "coin lesion"

hamartoma

lung tumor which arises from bronchial epithelia

bronchogenic carcinoma

malignancy of bronchial glandular cells which is usually found in non-smokers

adenocarcinoma

who is an adenocarcinoma MC in?

ages 50-70

malignancy of bronchial epithelial cells common in smokers

squamous cell carcinoma

malignant of bronchial epithelial cells which is the worst prognosis of all lung cancers due to increased odds of metastasis at time of diagnosis

small-cell carcinoma

who is small cell carcinomas common in?

smokers age 50-70

malignancy of bronchial epithelial cells common in smokers and non-smokers

large cell carcinoma

what causes 90% of lung cancers?

smoking

sites of mets from lung cancer?

brain, liver, bones, adrenals

most aggressive lung cancer

small cell carcinoma

MC non-small cell lung cancer located in pulmonary apex which leads to damage and symptoms with vertebrae, upper ribs, brachial plexus and sympathetics

pancoast tumor

who is pancoast tumors common in?

smokers age 50-70

signs and symptoms of pancoast tumor

pancoast syndrome and Horner syndrome

shoulder pain/C8-T2 radicular pain

pancoast syndrome

ptosis, miosis, anhindrosis

Horner syndrome

fluid in pleural cavity

pleural effusion

protein poor pleural effusion caused by heart failure

transudate (hydrothorax)

MC cause of pleural effusion

heart failure

protein rich pulmonary effusion caused by inflammatory conditions

exudate (pleuritis)

pus in pleural space

empyema

causes of pleural exudate

bacterial/viral infections, tumors, pulmary infarction

air within pleural cavity

pneumothorax

a type of pneumothorax in which air that enters the chest cavity is prevented from escaping and shifts mediastinum

tension pneumothorax

blood in pleural cavity

hemothorax

lymphatic fluid in pleural cavity

chylothorax

malignancy of mesothelium (pleura) associated almost exclusively with asbestos exposure

mesothelioma

How does mesothelioma develop?

chronic inflammation and failed phagocytosis due to asbestos