An unusual presentation of carcinoma of the lung: 26 patients with cervical node metastases

Carcinoma of the lung should be considered in the search for an unknown primary lesion when there is evidence of cervical lymph node involvement. Of 1,686 patients with a final diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma seen during a 10-year period at the University of Louisville Hospitals, 26 presented one or more clinically positive cervical nodes. The frequency of lung cancer in such instances varies from 1.5% (in the present report) to 32%, possibly because the term "cervical node" is used without clarification. More precise description of such metastases is urged.