Myriad Presentation of Adenocarcinoma Lung

Abstract

Lung adenocarcinoma is the leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. The causes for adenocarcinoma include smoking, air pollution, family history, occupational exposure, silica, asbestos, diesel fumes, and heavy metals. Smoking increases lung cancer risk by 5- to 10 fold with a clear dose–response relationship and environmental tobacco smoke among non-smokers increases lung cancer risk by about 20 %.[1] Lung cancers can be classified into two types based on histology as small cell carcinoma and non-small cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma falls under non-small cell carcinoma. Non-small cell carcinoma is further classified into adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Polyserositis is a condition where there is an inflammation of serous membranes with effusion. Most common sites are pleura and pericardium presenting with symptoms like chest pain, and shortness of breath.[2] The causes include idiopathic, infectious disease like tuberculosis, autoimmune conditions like SLE, and neoplasm. Neoplasm is the most common cause (nearly one-third of cases). Autoimmune disease like Adult-onset Still's disease presents with cardiac and pulmonary involvement pleural effusion, pericarditis and serositis.[3] A possible manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus is extensive serous involvement like pericardial effusion and pleural effusion.[4] In this case report, we discuss the presentation of adenocarcinoma and pericardial effusion with liver metastasis in a 74-year-old female.