Pancoast tumors of the lung

Pancoast or superior pulmonary sulcus tumors are uncommon primary bronchogenic carcinomas that produce a characteristic clinical syndrome of upper extremity pain and Horner's syndrome. Treatment of patients with this malignancy has traditionally involved irradiation alone or preoperative irradiation followed by resection. Recent advances in the management of Pancoast tumors include the importance of mediastinoscopy in staging the tumor before treatment begins. A complete resection should be accomplished including a lobectomy whenever possible. The current treatment protocol involves induction chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery.