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IPLab:Lab 7:Bronchogenic Carcinoma

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Clinical SummaryEdit

This 55-year-old white male had a long history of emphysema and a 60-70 pack-year smoking history. He was in his usual state of health until about one month before admission, at which time he developed increasing dyspnea on exertion. At the same time, his sputum increased from two tablespoons to half a cup of yellow blood-streaked sputum a day. Chest x-ray showed a right hilar mass. Sputum cytology revealed abnormal cells that were "positive for malignancy." He later developed pneumonia and fever. The patient expired soon thereafter.

At autopsy significant findings included advanced carcinoma of the right main stem bronchus with extension across the carina to produce obstruction of the left main stem bronchus. There was left lower lobe pneumonia and left upper lobe atelectasis. Extensive metastases were present in regional lymph nodes as well as the pericardium, left atrium, and right kidney.

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Virtual MicroscopyEdit

Study QuestionsEdit


Additional ResourcesEdit

Related IPLab CasesEdit

Pulmonary emphysema is a condition in which the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles are permanently increased in size due to either destruction of the wall or alveolar dilatation.

A pack-year denotes smoking one pack of cigarettes per day for one year.

In alcoholics, aspiration pneumonia is common--bacteria enter the lung via aspiration of gastric contents.

Atelectasis is the collapse of an airway and lung, regardless of the cause, resulting in reduced or absent gas exchange.

Hypercalcemia is the state of having increased levels of calcium in the blood.