Pancoast tumor

A Pancoast tumor is a tumor of the pulmonary apex. It is a type of lung cancer defined primarily by its location situated at the top end of either the right or left lung. It typically spreads to nearby tissues such as the ribs and vertebrae. Most Pancoast tumors are non-small cell cancers.

Pancoast tumor
Other namesPulmonary sulcus tumor, superior sulcus tumor
Chest radiograph showing a Pancoast tumor (labeled as P, non-small cell lung carcinoma, right lung), from a 47-year-old female smoker.
SpecialtyOncology 

The growing tumor can cause compression of a brachiocephalic vein, subclavian artery, phrenic nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve, vagus nerve, or, characteristically, compression of a sympathetic ganglion (the stellate ganglion), resulting in a range of symptoms known as Horner's syndrome.

Pancoast tumors are named for Henry Pancoast, an American radiologist, who described them in 1924 and 1932.[1]

Signs and symptoms

Aside from cancer general symptoms such as malaise, fever, weight loss and fatigue, Pancoast tumor can include a complete Horner's syndrome in severe cases: miosis (constriction of the pupils), anhidrosis (lack of sweating), ptosis (drooping of the eyelid), and enophthalmos (sunken eyeball). In progressive cases, the brachial plexus is also affected, causing pain and weakness in the muscles of the arm and hand with a symptomatology typical of thoracic outlet syndrome. The tumor can also compress the recurrent laryngeal nerve and from this a hoarse voice and "bovine" (non-explosive) cough may occur.

In superior vena cava syndrome, obstruction of the superior vena cava by a tumor (mass effect) causes facial swelling cyanosis and dilatation of the veins of the head and neck.

A Pancoast tumor is an apical tumor that is typically found in conjunction with a smoking history. The clinical signs and symptoms can be confused with neurovascular compromise at the level of the superior thoracic aperture. The patient's smoking history, rapid onset of clinical signs and symptoms, and pleuritic pain can suggest an apical tumor. A Pancoast tumor can give rise to both Pancoast syndrome and Horner's syndrome. When the brachial plexus roots are involved, it will produce Pancoast syndrome; involvement of sympathetic fibers as they exit the cord at T1 and ascend to the superior cervical ganglion will produce Horner's syndrome.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Pancoast tumor is usually made after evaluating clinical symptoms and imaging. Chest X-ray is a good screening test even though Chest CT scan can provide a better resolution and extent to which internal organs are being compressed.

Treatment

The treatment of a Pancoast lung cancer may differ from that of other types of non-small cell lung cancer. Its position and close proximity to vital structures (such as nerves and spine) may make surgery difficult. As a result, and depending on the stage of the cancer, treatment may involve radiation and chemotherapy given prior to surgery (neoadjuvant treatment). Surgery may consist of the removal of the upper lobe of a lung together with its associated structures (subclavian artery, vein, branches of the brachial plexus, ribs and vertebral bodies), as well as mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Surgical access may be via thoracotomy from the back[2] or the front of the chest[3] and modifications[4]

  • CT scan showing a Pancoast tumor (labeled as P, non-small cell lung carcinoma, right lung), from a 47-year-old female smoker

References
  1. synd/2953 at Who Named It?
  2. Paulson DL, Shaw RR (May 1960). "Results of bronchoplastic procedures for bronchogenic carcinoma". Ann. Surg. 151 (5): 729–40. doi:10.1097/00000658-196005000-00013. PMC 1613696. PMID 14431029.
  3. Dartevelle PG, Chapelier AR, Macchiarini P, et al. (June 1993). "Anterior transcervical-thoracic approach for radical resection of lung tumors invading the thoracic inlet". J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 105 (6): 1025–34. doi:10.1016/S0022-5223(19)33774-2. PMID 8080467.
  4. Nazari S (August 1996). "Transcervical approach (Dartevelle technique) for resection of lung tumors invading the thoracic inlet, sparing the clavicle". J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 112 (2): 558–60. doi:10.1016/s0022-5223(96)70296-9. PMID 8751536.
    Grunenwald D, Spaggiari L (February 1997). "Transmanubrial osteomuscular sparing approach for apical chest tumors". Ann. Thorac. Surg. 63 (2): 563–6. doi:10.1016/S0003-4975(96)01023-5. PMID 9033349.
    Anterior Access for radical resection of Pancoast tumors on YouTube
Classification
External resources

 This article incorporates public domain material from the U.S. National Cancer Institute document "Dictionary of Cancer Terms".

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