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[Lung cancer manifested as cardiac tamponade: a case report]
S Watanabe1, S Shimokawa, A Yamaoka
1Second Department of Surgery, Kagoshima University Faculty of Medicine, Japan.
Kyobu Geka. the Japanese Journal of Thoracic Surgery
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Lung cancer can present as cardiac tamponade. Surgical decompression, like pericardiectomy, effectively treats pericardial effusion in such cases, offering patients extended life without fluid recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cardiology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Lung cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
- Cardiac tamponade, a critical condition, can be a rare manifestation of advanced malignancy.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing life-threatening complications of lung cancer.
Observation:
- A 64-year-old male presented with anterior chest pain and dyspnea.
- Chest X-ray revealed an enlarged heart and a left lung hilus mass.
- Echocardiogram confirmed significant pericardial effusion, indicative of cardiac tamponade.
Findings:
- Emergency pericardiectomy with drainage was performed, alleviating tamponade symptoms.
- Histological examination confirmed adenocarcinoma of the lung with extensive lymph node metastases.
- The patient experienced 8 months of effusion-free survival post-surgery.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering malignancy in patients with unexplained pericardial effusion and tamponade.
- Surgical decompression, including pericardiectomy or pericardial fenestration, is a valuable therapeutic option for managing malignant pericardial effusion.
- Prompt surgical intervention can improve quality of life and survival in select lung cancer patients with cardiac tamponade.