Pancreatic cancer Masquerading as lung nodules: A Diagnostic Dilemma. (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karna, Rahul; Javed, Anam; Nasrullah, Adeel; Raja, Atif; Arshad, Hammad
• Is Part Of: Respiratory medicine case reports. Volume 33(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma -- Pulmonary nodules -- Endoscopic ultrasound; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory System -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101453
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-0071

Abstract

Abstract: To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolated pulmonary nodules as an initial presentation of underlying pancreatic cancer. We present a case of metastatic pancreatic cancer which manifested as worsening bilateral pulmonary nodules and normal abdominal imaging in a 72-year-old female patient. A navigational bronchoscopy with biopsy of lung nodules was performed which showed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 19-9 levels were elevated so endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration was done which revealed an underlying occult pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The patient was treated with chemotherapy. Patients with pulmonary metastasis have been shown to confer longer survival as compared to metastatic disease involving other organs. We have briefly reviewed the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and management of such cases in our report.