Squamous Cell Lung Cancer
Pathophysiology: A central primary lung cancer of
epidermoid cell origin, often from bronchial epithelium.
Tendency to grow moderately slowly and cavitate. Also tendency
to have endobronchial component so atelectasis and hemoptysis
occur.
Clinical Clues: smoking history
Squamaous cell metastatic disease may mimic primary lung cancer
both clinically and radiologically.
Pancoast’s syndrome: may be caused by primary or secondary
squamous cell cancer
CXR/CT Findings:
-
Central upper lung
mass **
-
May be cavitated **
-
Pancoast’s
syndrome: bone erosion with superior and mediastinal extension
(CT best)
-
Regional adenopathy
(CT best)
-
May be metastases
to lung (which is primary, which is secondary?)
-
May see pleural
effusion (more common with metastatic squamous cell)
“Aunt Sophies”: gamut of lung masses, often with
cavitation
-
any other primary
lung cancer
-
lymphoma
(especially after treatment, can cavitate)
-
infections:
tuberculosis, fungal and other granulomatous infections
-
vasculitis:
Wegener’s granulomatosis
-
round pneumonia
-
round atelectasis
-
post inflammatory
pseudo tumor (unusual)
-
PMF, in patient
with silicosis
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