Left lower lobe lung cancer

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Smoker. Cough. Infection?

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

Mass projected behind the left heart in the left lower lobe.

Right lung clear.

Case Discussion

Even in a moderately sized radiology department tens if not hundreds of chest x-rays are performed daily.  

A good deal of these patients will be smokers with an increased risk of lung cancer.

Always look behind the heart when assessing the chest x-ray. Cancers and other pathology may subtly lurk behind the density of the heart.

Staging CT of the chest and abdomen will follow along with bronchoscopy.

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