Pancoast tumor

Pancoast tumour, otherwise known as superior sulcus tumour, refers to a relatively uncommon situation where a primary bronchogenic carcinoma arises in the lung apex at the superior pulmonary sulcus and invades the surrounding soft tissues.

Terminology

Definitions vary from author to author, with some only referring to Pancoast tumours if the histology is of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and treating other superior sulcal tumours separately (even though the latter can also cause Pancoast syndrome) ⁸ ; and some only referring to Pancoast  tumours if presented with Pancoast syndrome and call the rest superior sulcus tumours.

Others use the term superior sulcal tumour and Pancoast tumour interchangeably, but limit the use to bronchogenic carcinomas, while others include all tumours that involve the superior pulmonary sulcus (whether or not they arise from the lung).

For the sake of simplicity, we have taken the middle road. For this article superior sulcus tumour and Pancoast tumour are used interchangeably to refer to a primary bronchogenic carcinoma involving the superior pulmonary sulcus.

Epidemiology

Superior sulcus tumours account for 3-5% of all bronchogenic carcinomas and have similar demographics to other lung cancers (see bronchogenic carcinoma article for a discussion of demographics and risk factors) ^5,9.

Clinical presentation

Although classically superior sulcus tumours present with Pancoast syndrome, this is only the case in approximately 25% of cases ¹. The missing element is usually Horner syndrome.

The most common symptoms at presentation are chest and/or shoulder pain, with arm pain being also common. Weight loss is frequently present ⁵.

Pathology

Superior sulcus tumours are usually non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). The most common histology encountered historically in the superior sulcus were squamous cell carcinomas ^7-8, however, more recently, and in keeping with the overall shift in frequency, bronchogenic adenocarcinomas now are more frequently identified ⁹.

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

Plain films demonstrate a soft tissue opacity at the apex of the lung. Occasionally rib involvement or extension into the supraclavicular fossa may be evident. Lordotic views may be helpful.

Ultrasound

The role of ultrasound is limited, but it may be useful in aiding percutaneous biopsy as it can visualise the external component of the tumour via an intercostal or supraclavicular acoustic window ³.

CT

Although, as is the case with bronchogenic cancer at other locations, CT is the workhorse for diagnosis, it has poor sensitivity (60%) and specificity (65%) for accurate local staging ⁸. It is, however, excellent at identifying bony involvement.

MRI

MRI is helpful in the assessment of superior sulcus tumours due to its excellent demonstration of soft-tissue involvement and is far more sensitive (88%) and specific (100%) for local staging ⁸.

Careful assessment of the brachial plexus is important as the involvement of more than the lower trunk, or C8 nerve root is usually considered inoperable ⁸.

The anatomy lends itself particularly to imaging in the coronal and sagittal plane, and the T1 sagittal images offer most of the required information ^2,9.

PET-CT

As for bronchogenic carcinomas in general, it is useful for assessing nodal and distant metastases at the baseline staging. For Pancoast in particular, PET-CT permits an accurate delineation of the gross tumour volume, which will be essential for the radiation treatment planning ⁹. 

Treatment and prognosis

Treatment depends crucially on the extent of involvement notably through the apex, as these lesions usually involve the brachial plexus and subclavian vessels. In such lesions, radiotherapy is typically administered in an attempt to downstage the tumour sufficiently to allow for attempted resection ².

Much controversy nonetheless exists over exact inclusion and exclusion criteria for surgery and the timing and administration of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Despite advances in management, prognosis remains poor with an overall 5-year survival of only 36%. Complete resection is the most important factor in determining survival ⁵:

• complete resection achieved - 45% 5-year survival
• incomplete resection only - 0% 5-year survival

History and etymology

Pancoast syndrome as a result of superior sulcus tumours was described in some publications (Hare 1838 and Ciuffini in 1911) before Pancoast reported it using the term 'superior pulmonary sulcus tumour' in 1924 ^5,9:

• Edward Selleck Hare (1812-1838), British physician
• Publio Ciuffini, Italian physician
• Henry Khunrath Pancoast (1875-1939), American radiologist

Differential diagnosis

General imaging differential considerations include:

• pulmonary metastases
• mesothelioma
• primary chest wall tumours
  • Ewing sarcoma
  • PNET
• chest wall metastases
• apical pleural thickening secondary to previous pulmonary tuberculosis

In addition a number of plain film mimics should be considered, including:

• vascular lesions - e.g. carotid pseudoaneurysm ⁴
• anterosuperior mediastinal masses