Non-Hodgkin's tumor and Pancoast's syndrome.
A 60-year old man presented with Horner's syndrome, and acute right hand and lower extremity weakness. Chest X-ray and MRI revealed a right apical lung tumor (presumed to be a primary lung cancer), with brachial plexus infiltration and spinal cord compression. Emergent radiotherapy was initiated for spinal cord compression and a biopsy was obtained 24 h later. A careful review of pathology demonstrated a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The patient subsequently received chemotherapy, and is now in remission. This case illustrates the importance of a tissue diagnosis before initiating therapy for a Pancoast's tumor.
Rao
R D
RD
Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital, CSC, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
Robins
H I
HI
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006732:Horner Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000209:etiology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D010178:Pancoast Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000209:etiology