Pancoast tumor differential diagnosis: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 119: Line 119:
! style="background:#4479BA; color: #FFFFFF;" align="center" + |Metastasis
! style="background:#4479BA; color: #FFFFFF;" align="center" + |Metastasis
|-
|-
| colspan="3" |Pancoast Tumor
| colspan="3" |'''Pancoast Tumor'''
|
|
*[[Asbestos]] [[Exposure assessment|exposure]] for prolonged period of time
*[[Asbestos]] [[Exposure assessment|exposure]] for prolonged period of time
Line 127: Line 127:


|
|
* Columnar cells of bronchioles
* [[Epithelial cells]]
* [[Neuroendocrine cells|Neuro endocrine cells]]
* Suprabasal bronchial cells
|
|
* Peripheral
* [[Bronchi]]
|
|
* White or grey lesions
* Focal carbon pigment deposits
* [[Cavitation|Cavitations]]
* Intraluminal polypoid masses
* [[Infiltration (medical)|Infiltration]]
* Peripheral distribution
* Gray-white central fibrosis
* [[Pleural]] puckering
* Anthracotic pigmentation
** [[Necrosis]]
** [[Cavitation]]
** [[Hemorrhage]]
* Lobulated or ill defined edges
|
|
|
|
* [[Keratin]]
* [[Cytokeratin|Cytokeratins]]
* [[CEA]]
* [[Thyroid transcription factor-1]] ([[TTF-1]])
* [[CD56]]
* [[Chromogranin]]
* [[Synaptophysin]]
* [[Cytokeratin]]
|'''[[Chest x-ray]]:''' Lordotic view on [[chest x-ray]] is helpful in visualizing Pancoast tumor because of its characteristic location in the [[Apical|apical portion]] of the [[lung]].  
|'''[[Chest x-ray]]:''' Lordotic view on [[chest x-ray]] is helpful in visualizing Pancoast tumor because of its characteristic location in the [[Apical|apical portion]] of the [[lung]].  
* [[opacity]] at the [[apex]] of the [[lung]] or in the superior sulcus area, the spread of the [[tumor]] can result in [[rib]] [[invasion]] that is observed as a [[bone]] destruction of [[posterior]] [[ribs]], [[vertebral body]] [[Infiltration (medical)|infiltration]].
* [[opacity]] at the [[apex]] of the [[lung]] or in the superior sulcus area, the spread of the [[tumor]] can result in [[rib]] [[invasion]] that is observed as a [[bone]] destruction of [[posterior]] [[ribs]], [[vertebral body]] [[Infiltration (medical)|infiltration]].
Line 137: Line 166:
* '''[[MRI]]''' is helpful in the [[diagnosis]] of Pancoast tumor. [[MRI]] offers greater detail in the evaluation of [[chest wall]] [[invasion]], [[examination]] of [[vascular]] structures and [[Brachial plexus|brachial plexus involvement]] and resectability of the [[tumor]]. Other [[diagnostic]] studies for evaluating the spread of Pancoast tumor include [[Scintigraphy|bone scintigraphy]], [[PET scan]], [[Molecular|molecular tests]] and [[biopsy]].
* '''[[MRI]]''' is helpful in the [[diagnosis]] of Pancoast tumor. [[MRI]] offers greater detail in the evaluation of [[chest wall]] [[invasion]], [[examination]] of [[vascular]] structures and [[Brachial plexus|brachial plexus involvement]] and resectability of the [[tumor]]. Other [[diagnostic]] studies for evaluating the spread of Pancoast tumor include [[Scintigraphy|bone scintigraphy]], [[PET scan]], [[Molecular|molecular tests]] and [[biopsy]].
|
|
* N/A
* [[Liver]]
* [[Breast]]
* [[Bone]]
* [[Bone marrow]]
* Adrenal glands
* Kidney
* Gastrointestinal Tract
* [[Pleura]]
* Abdominal [[Lymph node|lymph nodes]]
* [[Pericardium]]
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:#DCDCDC;" align="center" + |'''[[Papilloma]]'''<ref name="pmid3969658">{{cite journal |vauthors=Maxwell RJ, Gibbons JR, O'Hara MD |title=Solitary squamous papilloma of the bronchus |journal=Thorax |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=68–71 |date=January 1985 |pmid=3969658 |pmc=459982 |doi= |url=}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" style="background:#DCDCDC;" align="center" + |'''[[Papilloma]]'''<ref name="pmid3969658">{{cite journal |vauthors=Maxwell RJ, Gibbons JR, O'Hara MD |title=Solitary squamous papilloma of the bronchus |journal=Thorax |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=68–71 |date=January 1985 |pmid=3969658 |pmc=459982 |doi= |url=}}</ref>

Revision as of 01:50, 27 April 2018


Pancoast tumor Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Pancoast tumor from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

Chest X Ray

CT

MRI

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Pancoast tumor differential diagnosis On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pancoast tumor differential diagnosis

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Pancoast tumor differential diagnosis

CDC onPancoast tumor differential diagnosis

Pancoast tumor differential diagnosis in the news

Blogs on Pancoast tumor differential diagnosis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Type page name here

Risk calculators and risk factors for Pancoast tumor differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mazia Fatima, MBBS [2]

Overview

Pancoast tumor must be differentiated from other causes of mass located in the apical region of the chest which may present with pain in the shoulder region. Differential diagnosis includes most common other conditions that cause hemoptysis, cough, dyspnea, wheeze, chest pain, shoulder pain, unexplained weight loss, unexplained loss of appetite, and fatigue such as superior vena cava syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, cervical disk disease, pneumonia/bronchitis, carcinoid tumor, infectious granuloma and thyroid mass.

Differential Diagnosis

Pancoast tumor must be differentiated from other causes of mass located in the apical region of the chest which may present with pain in the shoulder region.The table below summarizes the findings that differentiate apical mass in the chest from the most common other conditions that cause hemoptysis, cough, dyspnea, wheeze, chest pain, shoulder pain, unexplained weight loss, unexplained loss of appetite, and fatigue[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

Condition/disease Signs/symptoms Tests
Pancoast Tumor The most common symptoms of Pancoast tumor include cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea, chest pain, lack of appetite, weight loss, fatigue. Symptoms of Pancoast's syndrome resulting from Pancoast tumor include shoulder pain along the vertebral border of the scapula, Horner's syndrome and weakness of hand muscles. Less common symptoms of Pancoast's syndrome include paraplegia. Chest x-ray: Lordotic view on chest x-ray is helpful in visualizing Pancoast tumor because of its characteristic location in the apical portion of the lung. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of Pancoast tumor include opacity at the apex of the lung or in the superior sulcus area, the spread of the tumor can result in rib invasion that is observed as a bone destruction of posterior ribs, vertebral body infiltration, enlargement of the mediastinum. CT scan is diagnostic of Pancoast tumor. CT scan has a limited ability to determine the extent of invasion of the primary tumor into adjoining structures when compared to MRI scan. Subclavian-vessel involvement is assessed by contrast CT scanning. MRI is helpful in the diagnosis of Pancoast tumor. MRI offers greater detail in the evaluation of chest wall invasion, examination of vascular structures and brachial plexus involvement and resectability of the tumor. Other diagnostic studies for evaluating the spread of Pancoast tumor include bone scintigraphyPET scan, molecular tests and biopsy.
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Superior vena cava syndrome patients gradually develop symptoms as the malignancies increase in size. Symptoms occur when obstruction of venous blood flow back to the heart increases gradually,andd may worsen with postural changes. Symptoms are quite varied among benign and malignant superior vena cava syndrome. They can range from sub-clinical presentation to death. The most common symptoms include the following dyspnea, cough, swelling of the face, neck, trunk, and arms. Less common symptoms include the following hoarseness, chest pain, problems swallowing and/or talking, coughing up blood, headache, lightheadedness, decreased alertness, dizziness, fainting, sensation of head or ear "fullness", vision changes. On chest x-ray, indirect signs such as superior mediastinal widening and right hilar prominence may indicate the presence of a mediastinal mass. On enhanced CT scan, findings include location and severity of the superior vena cava obstruction, superimposed thrombosis, a mediastinal mass or lymphadenopathy, collateral vessels, and associated lung masses. CT scan is the imaging modality of choice. Doppler ultrasound may be valuable in assessing the site and nature of the obstruction in superior vena cava syndrome. Venous patency and the presence of thrombi can also be assessed by using contrast and rapid scanning techniques. Other imaging finding is the radionuclide technetium-99m venography. Invasive contrast venography may be useful on the etiology of obstruction and exact location of the obstruction, also helpful in the surgical management of the obstructed vena cava.
 Thoracic outlet syndrome Arterial thoracic outlet syndrome can present with pallor, sensation of cold, pain, and paresthesias of the fingers due to severe ischemia.

Venous form (aka Paget-Schroetter syndromeEffort thrombosis and thoracic inlet syndrome) presents with arm swelling and pain.

Chest radiography is helpful to evaluate presence of cervical or first rib, clavicle deformity, pulmonary disease. Color flow duplex scanning, nerve conduction studies, electromyography, or imaging studies are recommended to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of Thoracic outlet syndrome(TOS). Nerve conduction evaluation via root stimulation and F wave is the best direct approach to evaluation of neurologic TOS. CT scan, MRI, Arteriography, while only rarely used to evaluate thoracic outlet syndrome, may be used if a surgery is being planned to correct an arterial TOS. Arteriography is indicated in the presence of evidence of peripheral emboli in the upper extremity, suspected subclavian stenosis or aneurysm (e.g., bruit or abnormal supraclavicular pulsation), blood pressure differential greater than 20 mmHg, Obliteration of radial pulse. Venography indications include persistent or intermittent edema of the hand or arm, peripheral unilateral cyanosis, prominent venous pattern over the arm, shoulder, or chest. Thermography indications are vasomotor or sudomotor instability, weather sensitivity, cold limb in a shawl or C8 distribution. Thermography may be one of the most sensitive tests to objectify the presence of thoracic outlet syndrome, especially if it is felt to be sympathetic in origin
Cervical Disk Disease With symptomatic degenerative disc disease, chronic shoulder pain sometimes radiates to the arm that may be associated with sporadic tingling or weakness may also be evident. Similar pain may be felt or may increase with range of motion of shoulder joint. While the degeneration of the disc will likely progress as a natural part of the aging process, symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain often decrease over time.
Pneumonia/bronchitis Typical symptoms include fever, cough, dyspnea, and chest pain; recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis in a smokformerformer smoker should raise the suspicion of lung cancer Chest X-Ray is the first test performed; CT imaging can be helpful to evaluate pulmonary masses that might not be well visualised with chest x-ray; bronchoscopy can also be used to assess for endobronchial lesions or to biopsy suspicious pulmonary masses
Carcinoid tumor Often asymptomatic with normal physical examination; may cause cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, unilateral wheezing, or post-obstructive pneumonia if the tumor is endobronchial or compressing the central bronchi. CT chest: 80% of carcinoid tumors appear as an endobronchial nodule and 20% as a parenchymal nodule, with smooth, rounded borders and is highly vascularized; flexible bronchoscopy shows raised, pink, vascular, lobulated lesions; endobronchial forceps biopsy is usually required for pathology to be diagnostic; bronchial brushings, sputum specimens, and lavage fluid rarely provide sufficient tissue for a conclusive diagnosis
Metastatic cancer from a non-thoracic primary site Signs and symptoms depend on the location of the primary tumor and distant disease and may include pain, weight loss, malaise, cough, dyspnea, clubbing, or focal wheezing; physical findings may be present depending on the location and extent of the disease CT chest shows one or multiple nodules of variable sizes from diffuse micronodular opacities (miliary) to well-defined masses, lesions are often irregular and in the periphery of the lower lung zones; CT/MRI head, CT abdomen and pelvis: extrapulmonary cancers that commonly metastasis to the lung include melanoma, thyroid carcinoma, esophageal cancer; ovarian cancer; sarcomas; and adenocarcinomas of the colon, breast, kidney, and testis; PET-FDG scan shows increased uptake in both primary and distant sites, certain metastatic lesions, such as renal cell carcinoma, have a lower probability of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake; CT-guided transthoracic needle aspiration (TTNA) can reveal characteristic malignant cells, pneumothorax complicates 20% to 30% of TTNA procedures, the choice between bronchoscopy and TTNA is based on lesion size, location, risks, and local expertise; biopsy during flexible bronchoscopy and biopsy may show characteristic malignant cells, bronchoscopy has a 100% yield for endobronchial lesions (which are extremely rare in metastatic deposits from other primary tumors)
Infectious granuloma History may include travel to endemic areas, pet/animal exposures, and specific leisure activities (e.g., caving); may feature cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, weight loss, fever, joint aches, skin lesions, and night sweats, or no symptoms; many possible causes: Histoplasma capsulatum, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Coccidioides immitis, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus, Pseudallescheria boydii, Fusarium species, zygomycetes, and others; non-specific skin findings may be seen in atypical mycobacteria and cryptococcosis; lymphadenopathy may be present with active disease CT-guided TTNA can be used for diagnostic sampling, pneumothorax complicates 20% to 30% of TTNA procedures, the choice between bronchoscopy and TTNA is based on lesion size, location, risks, and local expertise; CT chest typically shows lesions <2 cm diameter and round with smooth borders, old granulomatous disease may feature central, laminated, or diffuse calcification pattern, mediastinal lymphadenopathy without calcifications is sometimes present, nodules from angioinvasive fungi (e.g., Aspergillus, Pseudallescheria boydii, Fusarium species, and zygomycetes) may demonstrate the "halo sign" (ground-glass opacity surrounding the nodule), occasionally, calcifications can be seen in the spleen or liver; fungal serologies: positive during active infection; flexible bronchoscopy and biopsy can sometimes provide sample for identification and culture and sensitivity of organism; PET: usually negative (<2.5 standardised uptake values), may be positive in active infectious processes
Sarcoidosis Cough, dyspnea, fatigue, weight loss, fever, night sweats, rash, eye pain, photophobia, blurred vision, and red eye; pulmonary examination is usually unrevealing; can affect any organ, so physical findings depend on specific organs affected; skin lesions including maculopapular eruptions, subcutaneous nodular lesions, and red-purple skin lesions CT chest: mediastinal adenopathy often present with sarcoid. Sarcoid nodules have predilection for upper zones, although can be located throughout the lung; flexible bronchoscopy and biopsy can demonstrate presence of non-caseating granulomas; CT-guided TTNA can provide access to material from some lesions inaccessible to flexible bronchoscopy; laboratory markers: ACE elevation may be seen in sarcoidosis but is non-specific.
Rheumatoid arthritis Arthralgias, pain, skin nodules, pleural effusions, pleuritis, joint pain, and deformity CT chest typically shows lung nodule 3 mm to 7 cm, predominantly in peripheral upper and mid-lung zones, may show cavitation; flexible bronchoscopy and biopsy shows rheumatoid necrobiotic nodule, necrobiotic nodules demonstrate a central zone of eosinophilic fibrinoid necrosis surrounded by palisading fibroblasts, the nodule often centered on necrotic inflamed blood vessels; laboratory markers: patients with lung nodules due to rheumatoid arthritis frequently have high levels of rheumatoid factor, although seronegative cases have been reported.
Wegener's granulomatosis Cough, chest pain, dyspnea, hemoptysis, rhinorrhoea, epistaxis, ear/sinus pain, hoarseness, fever, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, palpable purpura, painful ulcers, uveitis, upper airway inflammation, and sinus pain CT chest shows solitary or multiple lung nodules, airways are frequently affected; Flexible bronchoscopy or CT-guided TTNA may show necrotising granulomatous inflammation; laboratory markers: anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), ANCA testing results depend on the extent and severity of the disease.
Arteriovenous malformation Dyspnea is uncommon, may cause hemoptysis, pulmonary bruit, arteriovenous communications, or hemorrhagic telangiectasia in the skin, mucous membranes, and other organs, cyanosis and finger clubbing may be present, neurological symptoms from cerebral aneurysms, cerebral emboli CT chest shows round or oval nodule(s) with feeding artery and draining vein often identified, most common in lower lobes, multiple lesions in 30% of cases, usually round or oval, ranging from 1 cm to several cm in diameter; pulmonary angiography confirms presence and location of AVMs, identifies feeding arterial and venous structures, in cases of significant hemoptysis, pulmonary angiogram is combined with bronchial artery embolisation; ABG analysis may show decreased pO2 and decreased oxygen saturation when AV flow is severe., in cases of severe systemic AVMs, chronic hypoxemia may cause polycythemia
Amyloidosis Weight loss, paresthesias, dyspnea, and fatigue are the most common symptoms associated with amyloidosis and are common to all systemic forms; weight loss of >9 kg is common; small vessel involvement can cause jaw or limb claudication, and rarely angina; amyloid purpura is present in about 1 in 6 patients, typically peri-orbital; eyelid petechiae are common; hepatomegaly >5 cm below the right costal margin is seen in 10% of patients and splenomegaly is usually of modest degree. CT chest shows lung involvement characterised by focal pulmonary nodules, tracheobronchial lesions, or diffuse alveolar deposits; serum immunofixation shows presence of monoclonal protein; urine immunofixation shows presence of monoclonal protein; immunoglobulin free light chain assay shows abnormal kappa to lambda ratio.
Pulmonary tuberculosis Cough longer than 2 to 3 weeks, discolored or bloody sputum, night sweats, weight loss, loss of appetite, and/or pleuritic chest pain. Chest x-ray: primary disease commonly presents as middle and lower lung zone infiltrates, ipsilateral adenopathy, atelectasis from airway compression, and pleural effusion can be seen, reactivation-type (post-primary) pulmonary TB usually involves apical and/or posterior segment of right upper lobe, apicoposterior segment of left upper lobe, or superior segment of either lower lobe, with or without cavitation, as disease progresses it spreads to other segments/lobes; sputum smear: positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB), sputum may be spontaneously expectorated or induced, and at least 3 specimens should be collected (minimum 8 hours apart, including an early morning specimen, which is the best way to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis, organisms other than M. tuberculosis, especially on-tuberculous mycobacteria (e.g., M. kansasii and M. avium , may be positive for AFB stain; nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT): positive for M. tuberculosis DNA or RNA amplification tests for rapid diagnosis, may be used on sputum or any sterile body fluid.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) Aggressive NHL may present with fever, drenching night sweats, malaise, weight loss, cough, shortness of breath, abdominal discomfort, headache, change in mental status, dizziness, ataxia, pleural effusion, lymphadenopathy, pallor, purpura, jaundice, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, skin nodules, and abnormal neurological examination, low-grade NHL patients often minimally symptomatic or asymptomatic. CT chest: frequently anterior mediastinum, can determine if mass is cystic or solid and whether it contains calcium or fat, contrast enhancement provides information concerning vascularisation of the mass and relationship to adjacent structures; FBC with differential: shows thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia; Blood smear: shows nucleated red blood cells, giant platelets; lymph node biopsy with immunohistochemistry: shows characteristic cells, preferably obtain excisional or core biopsy to provide information on lymph node architecture; mediastinoscopy: used to sample mediastinal nodes.
Hodgkin's lymphoma Predominantly a disease of young adults; most patients present with a several-month history of persistent adenopathy, most commonly of the cervical chain. Plain chest x-ray: typically shows mediastinal mass/large mediastinal adenopathy; PET scan: involved sites appear fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid (bright) with PET imaging; lymph node biopsy with immunohistochemistry: the Hodgkin's cell can be a characteristic Reed-Sternberg cell, or one of its variants, such as the lacunar cell in the nodular sclerosis subtype; in nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma, the characteristic cell is the lymphocytic and histiocytic (L&H) cell, also referred to as a popcorn cell.
Thymoma/Thymic carcinoma Approximately 30% of patients with thymoma are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis; may also present with cough, chest pain, signs of upper airway congestion, superior vena cava syndrome, dysphagia, or hoarseness; may have features of paraneoplastic syndromes associated with thymoma including myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis, and Sjogren's syndrome; about 30% of patients have symptoms suggestive of myasthenia gravis (e.g., ptosis, double vision) Plain chest x-ray: in 50% of the patients, thymomas are detected by chance with plain-film chest radiography; CT chest: 90% occur in anterior mediastinum; Positron emission tomography (PET): may be of value in determining malignancy and extramediastinal involvement; pre-operative biopsy: indicated if there are atypical features or if imaging suggests invasive tumor and patient is under consideration for induction therapy
Bronchogenic cyst Usually diagnosed in infancy and childhood, although 50% are diagnosed after 15 years of age; Approximately 50% of patients are asymptomatic; in adults, chest pain (often pleuritic) and dysphagia (due to esophageal compression) are the most common symptoms; may also feature recurrent cough and chest infection/pneumonia, superior vena cava syndrome, tracheal compression, and pneumothorax Two-view chest radiography: typically shows a sharply demarcated spherical mass of variable size, most commonly located in the middle mediastinum around the carina, can appear as a solid tumor or show air-fluid level if cyst is infected or contains secretions; CT chest: frequently middle mediastinum, typically at level of the mediastinum, calcifications may also be seen; MRI: frequently middle mediastinum, typically at level of the mediastinum, T2-weighted images show a homogeneous mass of moderate-to-bright intensity, on T1-weighted images, lesions may vary in intensity depending on protein content of the cyst.
Tracheal tumors Common symptoms include dyspnea, cough, hemoptysis, wheeze, and stridor; less commonly, hoarseness and dysphagia may be present Plain chest radiographs are generally insensitive for detection of tracheal tumors, clues that may indicate the presence of a tracheal tumour include abnormal calcification, tracheal narrowing, post-obstructive pneumonia, and/or atelectasis; helical CT enables accurate calculation of tumor volumes and can help differentiate mucosal lesions from submucosal lesions; MRI can be useful in assessing extension into surrounding tissue and vascular anatomy; bronchoscopy allows direct visualisation, opportunity for biopsy, and potential for laser treatment.
Thyroid mass Symptoms and signs depend on size of mass; may be visible/palpable as lump on anterior aspect of neck; may present with dysphagia, hoarseness, difficulty breathing, and pain in neck or throat; may also be signs and symptoms of hyper- or hypothyroidism depending on the nature of the mass. Laboratory testing should include thyroid function panel, with TSH, free T4, free T3; I-123 thyroid scan is ordered for patients with overt or subclinical hyperthyroidism a hyperfunctioning (hot) nodule is almost always benign, most nodules are hypofunctioning (cold) (most of these are benign, but malignant nodules are also cold); ultrasound and doppler can be used to define dimensions of thyroid nodules and solid/cystic component(s), features suspicious of malignancy include microcalcifications, a more tall-than-wide shape, hypervascularity, marked hypoechogenicity, or irregular margins, it can also guide fine-needle aspiration, which can reveal malignant cells or cyst fluid; CT neck can evaluate cervical lymph nodes in cases of medullary thyroid cancer, and extension of the scan into the chest can help evaluate a retrosternal thyroid mass

The following table summarizes the differentiation of various lung tumors based on histological and topographical features:[13]

Abrevations:

HPV: human papillomavirus; CEA: Carcino embryogenic antigen; TTF1: Thyroid transcription factor-1; EMA: Epithelial membrane antigen; CK: Cyto keratin; CD: Cluster differentiation; NCAM: Neural Cell Differentiation Molecule;

MMP's: Mettaloprotineases matrix ; GFAP: Glial fibrocilliary acid protein

Benign Lung Tumors[14]
Benign lung tumor Risk/Epidemiology Pleuripotent cells Topography Gross Histology Immunohistochemistry Imaging Metastasis
Pancoast Tumor Chest x-ray: Lordotic view on chest x-ray is helpful in visualizing Pancoast tumor because of its characteristic location in the apical portion of the lung.
Papilloma[15] Squamous cell papilloma
  • HPV 6 and 11
  • Men
  • Median age of diagnosis is 54 years
  • Endobronchial
  • Cauliflower-like lesions
  • Tan-white soft to semifirm protrutions
  • Loose fibrovascular core
  • Stratified squamous epithelium
  • Acanthosis
  • Binucleate forms and perinuclear halos
  • Koilocytosis
  • N/A
  • Well circumscribed
  • Homogenous
  • Non-calcified
  • Solitary mass
  • N/A
Glandular papilloma
  • Rare
  • Mean age of diagnosis is 68 years
  • Endobronchial
  • White to tan endobronchial polyps that measure from 0.7-1.5 cm
  • N/A
  • Well circumscribed
  • Homogenous
  • Non-calcified
  • Solitary mass
  • N/A
Adenoma[16] Alveolar adenoma
  • Mean age of diagnosis is 53 years
  • Female predominance
  • All lung lobes
  • Lower lobes
  • Hilar
  • 0.7-6.0 cm
  • Well demarcated smooth
  • Lobulated, multicystic
  • Soft to firm
  • Pale yellow to tan cut surfaces
  • Well circumscribed
  • Homogenous
  • Non-calcified
  • Solitary mass
  • N/A
Papillary adenoma[17]
  • Mean age of diagnosis is 32 years
  • Male predominance
  • Bronchioloalveolar cell
  • No lobar predilection
  • Involves alveolar parenchyma
  • Well defined
  • Encapsulated
  • Soft, spongy to firm mass
  • Granular gray white/ brown
  • 1.0- 4.0 cm
  • Incidental finding
  • N/A
Mucinous cystadenoma
  • No sex predilection
  • Mean age of diagnosis is 52 years
  • Central
  • White-pink to tan
  • Smooth and shiny tumors
  • Gelatinous mucoid solid core
  • 0.7-7.5 cm
  • Numerous mucin-filled cystic spaces
  • Non-dilated microacini, glands, tubules and papillae
  • Coin lesion
  • Air-meniscus sign
  • N/A
Malignant Lung Tumors[18]
Variants of lung carcinoma Risk Factors/Epidemiology Pleuripotent cell Topography Gross Histology Immunohistochemistry Imaging Metastasis
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)[19] Papillary
  • Epithelial cells
  • Central
  • Exophytic
  • Intra-epithelial
  • Without invasion
Clear cell
Basaloid
  • Peripheral palisading of nuclei.
  • Poor differentiation
Small cell carcinoma[20]
  • Bronchial precursor cell
  • Peripheral
  • White-tan, soft, friable perihilar masses
  • Extensive necrosis
  • 5% peripheral coin lesions
  • Sheet-like growth
  • Nesting
  • Trabeculae
  • Peripheral palisading
  • Rosette formation
  • High mitotic rate
  • Bone marrow
  • Liver
Adenocarcinoma[21][22][23] Acinar adenocarcinoma
  • Columnar cells of bronchioles
  • Peripheral
  • Single or multiple lesions
  • Different in size
  • Peripheral distribution
  • Gray-white central fibrosis
  • Pleural puckering
  • Anthracotic pigmentation
  • Lobulated or ill defined edges
  • Irregular-shaped glands
  • Malignant cells:
    • Hyperchromatic nuclei
    • Fibroblastic stroma
  • Peripheral nodules under 4.0 cm in size
  • Central location as a hilar or perihilar mass
  • Rarely show cavitations.
  • Hilar adenopathy
  • Adenocarcinomas account for the majority of small peripheral cancers identified radiologically.
Aerogenous spread is characteristic
  • Brain
  • Bone
  • Adrenal glands
  • Liver
  • Kidney
  • Gastrointestinal Tract
Papillary adenocarcinoma
Bronchio-alveolar carcinoma Non-mucinous
Mucinous
  • Low grade differentiation
  • Composed of:
    • Tall columnar cells
    • Basal nuclei
    • Pale cytoplasm resembling goblet cells
    • Varying amounts of cytoplasmic mucin
  • Cytologic atypia
Mixed non-mucinous and mucinous or indeterminate
  • Mixed type of cells
  • Low to high grade differentiated cells.
Solid adenocarcinoma with mucin production Fetal adenocarcinoma
Mucinous (“colloid”) carcinoma
Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma
Signet ring adenocarcinoma
  • Focal
  • Cells with nuclei displaced to sides
  • Components of other cells are present.
Clear cell adenocarcinoma
  • Clear cells with no nuclei
Variants of lung carcinoma Risk Factors/Epidemiology Pleuripotent cell Topography Gross Histology Immunohistochemistry Imaging Metastasis
Large cell carcinoma[24] Basaloid large cell carcinoma of the lung
  • Approximately 10% of lung cancers
  • Smoking
  • Soft, pink-tan tumor
  • Invasive growth pattern
  • Peripheral palisading
  • Small, monomorphic, cuboidal fusiform
  • Large, peripheral masses
Clear cell carcinoma of the lung
Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the lung
Large-cell lung carcinoma with rhabdoid phenotype
Mixed type
Variants of lung carcinoma Risk Factors/Epidemiology Pleuripotent cell Topography Gross Histology Immunohistochemistry Imaging Metastasis
Sarcomatoid carcinoma[25] Carcinosarcoma
  • Central or peripheral
  • Upper lobes
  • No specific imaging features 
Spindle cell carcinoma
  • Only spindle shaped tumor cells
  • Lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates
Giant cell carcinoma
Pleomorphic carcinoma
Pulmonary blastoma
Variants of lung carcinoma Risk Factors/Epidemiology Pleuripotent cell Topography Gross Histology Immunohistochemistry Imaging Metastasis
Carcinoid tumor[26] Typical carcinoid

Atypical carcinoid

  • Most common in males
  • Mean age of diagnosis 45
  • Atypical carcinoid is more commonly peripheral
  • Firm, well demarcated, tan to yellow tumors
  • Uniform polygonal cells
  • Nuclear atypia
  • Pleomorphism
  • The most common patterns are the organoid and trabecular
  • Highly vascularized fibrovascular stroma
  • Focal necrosis
Salivary gland tumors[27] Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
  • Most patients presents in the third and fourth decade
  • Constitutes of less than 1% tumor
  • No association with cigarette smoking or other risk factors
  • Primitive cells of tracheobronchial origin
  • Bronchial glands
  • Ranging in size from 0.5-6 cm
  • Soft, polypoid, and pink-tan in colour
  • High-grade lesions are infiltrative
  • Well-circumscribed oval or lobulated mass
  • Calcifications
  • Post-obstructive pneumonic infiltrates
Adenoid cystic carcinoma
  • Constitutes less than 1% of all lung tumors
  • Most commonly seen in fourth and fifth decades of life
  • Primitive cells of tracheobronchial origin
  • Gray-white or tan polypoid lesions
  • Size ranges from 1–4 cm
  • Infiltrative margins
  • Invades other cell layers
  • Heterogeneous cellularity
  • Cribriform pattern
  • Perineural invasion
  • Well circumscribed
  • Nodule
Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma
  • Age ranges from 33 to 71 years
  • No association with smoking
  • Endobronchial
  • Solid to gelatinous in texture
  • White to gray in colour
Variants of lung carcinoma Risk Factors/Epidemiology Pleuripotent cell Topography Gross Histology Immunohistochemistry Imaging Metastasis
Preinvasive lesions[28] Squamous carcinoma in situ
  • Most commonly seen in fifth or sixth decades
  • Mostly seen in women
  • Basal cells of squamous epithelium
  • Focal or multi-focal plaque-like greyish lesions
  • Nonspecific erythema
  • Even nodular or polypoid lesions
  • Micropapillomatosis
  • Cauliflower like
  • Mosaic pattern
Atypical adenomatous hyperplasia
  • Multiple grey to yellow foci
  • 1mm to 10mm in size
  • Typically not visualized on radiographs
  • Small non-solid nodules
  • Ground-glass opacity
Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia
  • Endobronchial
  • Early lesions are:
    • Small, gray-white nodules
    • Resembling ‘miliary bodies’
  • Larger carcinoid tumors are:
    • Firm
    • Homogeneous
    • Well-defined
    • Grey or yellow-white masses
  • Mosaic pattern of air trapping
  • Sometimes with nodules
  • Thickened bronchial and bronchiolar walls
Variants of lung carcinoma Risk Factors/Epidemiology Pleuripotent cell Topography Gross Histology Immunohistochemistry Imaging Metastasis
Mesenchymal tumors[29] Epithelioid haemangioendothelioma / Angiosarcoma
  • Caucasian
  • 80% are women
  • Endothelial cells
  • 0.3-2.0 cm circumscribed mass
  • Gray-white or gray-tan firm tissue
  • Yellow flecks
  • Central calcifications
  • Cut surface has a cartilaginous consistency
Pleuropulmonary blastoma
  • Most common in children
  • Median age of diagnosis is 2 years
  • Purely cystic
  • Thin-walled
  • Rarely solid
  • Firm to gelatinous
  • Upto 15 cm
  • Unilateral
  • Localized airfilled cysts
  • Septal thickening or an intracystic mass
Chondroma
  • Young women
  • Capsulated lobules
  • Hypocellular
  • Features of malignancy are absent
  • N/A
  • Multiple
  • Well circumscribed lesions
  • “Pop-corn” calcifications
Congenital peribronchial myofibroblastic tumor
  • Along the bronchi
  • 5-10 cm
  • Well-circumscribed
  • Non-encapsulated
  • Smooth or multinodular surface
  • The cut surface has a tann-grey to yellow-tan fleshy appearance
  • Hemorrhage
  • Necrosis
  • Well circumscribed
  • Opaque hemithorax
  • Heterogeneous mass
  • Rare
Diffuse pulmonary lymphangiomatosis
  • Children
  • Young adults of both sexes
  • Prominence of the bronchovascular bundles along
  • Anastomosing endothelial-lined cells along lymphatic routes
  • Increased interstitial markings
  • Skin
  • Bone
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor
  • Localized to bronchi
  • Solitary
  • Round rubbery masses
  • Yellowish-gray discoloration
  • Average size of 3.0 cm
  • Non-encapculated
  • Calcifications
  • No local invasion
  • Solitary mass
  • Regular borders
  • Spiculated appearance
  • Accompanied by
  • Rare
Pulmonary artery sarcoma
  • Mucoid or gelatinous clots filling vascular lumens
  • The cut surface may show
    • Firm fibrotic areas
    • Bony/gritty or chondromyxoid foci
    • Hemorrhage and necrosis are common in high-grade tumors
  • Spindle cells in
    • A myxoid background
    • Collagenized stroma
    • Recanalized thrombi
Pulmonary vein sarcoma
  • Most common in women
  • Mean age of diagnosis is 49
  • Fleshy-tan tumor
  • Can occlude the lumen of the involved vessel
  • 3.0- 20.0 cm
  • Invasion of wall of the vein
  • N/A

References

  1. {{Small cell lung cancer [Internet]. BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2015 [updated 2014 Oct 29]. Available from: http://bestpractice.bmj.com/best-practice/monograph/1081/diagnosis/differential.html}}
  2. Bhatt M, Kant S, Bhaskar R (2012). "Pulmonary tuberculosis as differential diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer". South Asian J Cancer. 1 (1): 36–42. doi:10.4103/2278-330X.96507. PMC 3876596. PMID 24455507.
  3. Kamiya K, Yoshizu A, Misumi Y, Hida N, Okamoto H, Yoshida S (2011). "[Lung abscess which needed to be distinguished from lung cancer; report of a case]". Kyobu Geka. 64 (13): 1204–7. PMID 22242302.
  4. Matsuoka T, Uematsu H, Iwakiri S, Itoi K (2013). "[Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia presenting as a solitary nodule, suspicious of lung cancer;report of a case]". Kyobu Geka. 66 (10): 941–3. PMID 24008649.
  5. Beeson, Michael S. "Superior Vena Cava Syndrome". Retrieved 2008-03-24.
  6. Radiation Oncology/Palliation/SVC Syndrome. WikiBooks https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Radiation_Oncology/Palliation/SVC_Syndrome Accessed on January 13, 2016
  7. Bruzzi JF, Komaki R, Walsh GL, Truong MT, Gladish GW, Munden RF, Erasmus JJ (2008). "Imaging of non-small cell lung cancer of the superior sulcus: part 1: anatomy, clinical manifestations, and management". Radiographics. 28 (2): 551–60, quiz 620. doi:10.1148/rg.282075709. PMID 18349457.
  8. Foroulis CN, Zarogoulidis P, Darwiche K, Katsikogiannis N, Machairiotis N, Karapantzos I, Tsakiridis K, Huang H, Zarogoulidis K (September 2013). "Superior sulcus (Pancoast) tumors: current evidence on diagnosis and radical treatment". J Thorac Dis. 5 Suppl 4: S342–58. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2013.04.08. PMC 3791502. PMID 24102007.
  9. Marulli G, Battistella L, Mammana M, Calabrese F, Rea F (June 2016). "Superior sulcus tumors (Pancoast tumors)". Ann Transl Med. 4 (12): 239. doi:10.21037/atm.2016.06.16. PMC 4930518. PMID 27429965.
  10. Thoracic outlet syndrome Mount Sinai Hospital, New York
  11. Stepansky F, Hecht EM, Rivera R, Hirsh LE, Taouli B, Kaur M, Lee VS. Dynamic MR angiography of upper extremity vascular disease: pictorial review. Radiographics. 2008 Jan-Feb;28(1):e28. Epub 2007 Oct 29. PMID 17967936
  12. Superior Vena Cava Syndrome.Dr Amir Rezaee and Radswiki et al. Radiopedia http://radiopaedia.org/articles/superior-vena-cava-obstruction Accessed on January 13, 2016
  13. Erasmus JJ, Connolly JE, McAdams HP, Roggli VL (2000). "Solitary pulmonary nodules: Part I. Morphologic evaluation for differentiation of benign and malignant lesions". Radiographics. 20 (1): 43–58. doi:10.1148/radiographics.20.1.g00ja0343. PMID 10682770.
  14. Gümüştaş S, Inan N, Akansel G, Ciftçi E, Demirci A, Ozkara SK (June 2012). "Differentiation of malignant and benign lung lesions with diffusion-weighted MR imaging". Radiol Oncol. 46 (2): 106–13. doi:10.2478/v10019-012-0021-3. PMC 3472932. PMID 23077446.
  15. Maxwell RJ, Gibbons JR, O'Hara MD (January 1985). "Solitary squamous papilloma of the bronchus". Thorax. 40 (1): 68–71. PMC 459982. PMID 3969658.
  16. Shiota Y, Matsumoto H, Sasaki N, Taniyama K, Hashimoto S, Sueishi K (1998). "Solitary bronchioloalveolar adenoma of the lung". Respiration. 65 (6): 483–5. doi:10.1159/000029319. PMID 9817965.
  17. Kanchustambham V, Saladi S, Patolia S, Mahmoud Assaf S, Stoeckel D (March 2017). "A Rare Case of a Benign Primary Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Lung". Cureus. 9 (3): e1069. doi:10.7759/cureus.1069. PMC 5375953. PMID 28409070.
  18. Kelley LC, Puette M, Langheinrich KA, King B (November 1994). "Bovine pulmonary blastomas: histomorphologic description and immunohistochemistry". Vet. Pathol. 31 (6): 658–62. doi:10.1177/030098589403100605. PMID 7863581.
  19. Roth E, Smidt D (January 1970). "[Studies on early ejaculate collection using electroejaculation in German improved land-swines and Goettinger miniature pigs]". Berl. Munch. Tierarztl. Wochenschr. (in German). 83 (1): 7–11. PMID 5528918.
  20. Jackman DM, Johnson BE (2005). "Small-cell lung cancer". Lancet. 366 (9494): 1385–96. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)67569-1. PMID 16226617.
  21. Mitchell, Richard Sheppard; Kumar, Vinay; Abbas, Abul K.; Fausto, Nelson. "Chapter 13, box on morphology of adenocarcinoma". Robbins Basic Pathology (8th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders. ISBN 1-4160-2973-7.
  22. Soda M, Choi YL, Enomoto M, Takada S, Yamashita Y, Ishikawa S; et al. (2007). "Identification of the transforming EML4-ALK fusion gene in non-small-cell lung cancer". Nature. 448 (7153): 561–6. doi:10.1038/nature05945. PMID 17625570.
  23. Adenocarcinoma of the lung. Librepathology 2015. http://librepathology.org/wiki/index.php/File:Adenocarcinoma_%283950819000%29.jpg
  24. Rossi G, Mengoli MC, Cavazza A, Nicoli D, Barbareschi M, Cantaloni C, Papotti M, Tironi A, Graziano P, Paci M, Stefani A, Migaldi M, Sartori G, Pelosi G (January 2014). "Large cell carcinoma of the lung: clinically oriented classification integrating immunohistochemistry and molecular biology". Virchows Arch. 464 (1): 61–8. doi:10.1007/s00428-013-1501-6. PMID 24221342.
  25. Huang SY, Shen SJ, Li XY (October 2013). "Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma: a clinicopathologic study and prognostic analysis of 51 cases". World J Surg Oncol. 11: 252. doi:10.1186/1477-7819-11-252. PMC 3850921. PMID 24088577.
  26. Dahabreh J, Stathopoulos GP, Koutantos J, Rigatos S (March 2009). "Lung carcinoid tumor biology: treatment and survival". Oncol. Rep. 21 (3): 757–60. PMID 19212636.
  27. Elnayal A, Moran CA, Fox PS, Mawlawi O, Swisher SG, Marom EM (July 2013). "Primary salivary gland-type lung cancer: imaging and clinical predictors of outcome". AJR Am J Roentgenol. 201 (1): W57–63. doi:10.2214/AJR.12.9579. PMC 3767141. PMID 23789697.
  28. Greenberg AK, Yee H, Rom WN (2002). "Preneoplastic lesions of the lung". Respir. Res. 3: 20. PMC 107849. PMID 11980589.
  29. Koenigkam-Santos M, Sommer G, Puderbach M, Safi S, Schnabel PA, Kauczor HU, Heussel CP (April 2014). "Primary intrathoracic malignant mesenchymal tumours: computed tomography features of a rare group of chest neoplasms". Insights Imaging. 5 (2): 237–44. doi:10.1007/s13244-013-0306-0. PMC 3999366. PMID 24407922.

Template:WH Template:WS