A Case of Small Cell Carcinoma of Lung Presenting as Opaque Hemithorax

Abstract

The most common cause of an Opaque Hemithorax is Pleural Effusion. It is a rare occurrence to find patients with extensive mass leading to an opaque hemithorax. Thorough search of literature did not yield any case with such a large lung mass leading to opaque hemithorax, without the presence of pleural effusion. Lung cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed worldwide and has predominantly been attributed to tobacco smoke exposure. Of the several types, small cell lung cancer differs from others by its early spread and extensive dissemination leading to metastatic classification at the time of diagnosis. Here, is a case of a 50-year-old female patient who presented to the outpatient department with dry cough, weight loss and appetite loss since five months. Her chest radiograph revealed a right-sided homogeneous opacity involving the entire right hemithorax and left-sided pleural-based homogenous mass. Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) thorax revealed an enlarged hemithorax with evidence of large, ill-defined heterogeneously enhancing multilobulated soft-tissue density mass lesion occupying the entire right hemithorax. Biopsy was suggestive of Small Cell Carcinoma of Lung (SCLC), chemotherapy was given and patient is under regular follow-up.