title: Not all gastric masses are gastric cancer.
abstract: Lung cancer metastasising to the gastrointestinal tract normally does not occur. However, as clinicians, we must be aware that lung adenocarcinoma, as in all cancers, can and will metastasise to any part of the body. We describe a case of a patient with a presumed primary gastric adenocarcinoma who presented with shortness of breath due to pleural effusion. Pathology from the pleural effusion was positive for primary lung adenocarcinoma. Further investigation revealed that the patient's gastric mass was misdiagnosed as gastric adenocarcinoma. We correctly diagnosed the mass as metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. This was very significant because the patient was transitioning to palliative care with possible tube feeding. After the correct diagnosis, her management drastically changed and her health improved. Clinical, pathological and medical management of lung cancer metastasis to the stomach are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Eisenhower Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency Program, Rancho Mirage, California, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Del Rosario
authors.affiliation: Eisenhower Medical Center Internal Medicine Residency Program, Rancho Mirage, California, USA.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D000368:Aged; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*