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Pancoast tumor

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

40 pack-year smoking history. Chest pain and weight loss.

Patient Data

Age: 75
Gender: Female
x-ray

Large left apical lung mass (superior sulcus) without bony destruction. Right lung clear.

Case Discussion

Pancoast tumor is a specific term for a tumor at the lung apex, which when associated with Horner syndrome is termed Pancoast syndrome.  This relates to invasion of the brachial plexus from which its other name arises - superior sulcus tumor.

Subsequent CT demonstrated metastatic lung cancer.

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