title: Primary lung cancer involving mediastinum and mimicking left atrial myxoma: a case report and review of literature.
abstract: We report a case of primary large cell carcinoma of the lung invading the heart and mimicking a left atrial myxoma. This case highlights the problems we face in diagnosis and management of a very unusual presentation of poorly differentiated primary large ('non-small') cell lung cancer with extension into the left atrium. It is important to have a high index of suspicion for a primary lung malignancy in chronic heavy smokers with none to minimal respiratory symptoms for early diagnosis and full staging procedures, as some of these tumours may be suitable for lung resection.
authors.affiliation: Suite 1, Pendlebury Clinic, 52 Pendlebury Road, Cardiff, NSW 2285, Australia. rajesheela@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brahmbhatt
authors.forename: Lloyd
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dorsogna
authors.forename: Phil
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cooke
mesh_terms: D018287:Carcinoma, Large Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009232:Myxoma / Q000175:diagnosis*