Differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules presenting on cancer patients

2^nd International Conference on Cytopathology & Histopathology

August 10-12, 2016 Las Vegas, USA

Rafael Caparica

Institute of Cancer of S�£o Paulo, Brazil

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Cytol Histol

Abstract :

Pulmonary nodules (PNs) presenting on cancer patients are frequently presumed to represent metastases. However, primary lung cancers, infections, scar tissue, and auto-immune diseases are among the possibilities in a wide range of differential diagnosis. The decision of performing a PN biopsy in a cancer patient is challenging, due to data scarcity. On retrospective studies and case series, the frequency of benign lesions and second primary lung tumors in cancer patients submitted to a PN biopsy is as high as 42%. A pivotal study published in 2016 demonstrated that, among 228 patients with tumors other than lung cancer, the frequency of non-metastatic lesions on biopsy was 36%. Interestingly, on this study, the presence of multiple PNs and signs of cavitation or necrosis at the PN on computerized tomography (CT) were associated with higher odds of metastatic disease. The scope of this presentation is to perform a review of the most recent medical literature about PNs arising on cancer patients. Also, the real challenge that clinicians face on their daily practice will be addressed by two case reports illustrated with its respective CTs and biopsies. PNs should not be assumed to be metastases without performing a biopsy, given the high frequency of non-metastatic lesions observed among cancer patients. Whenever feasible, tissue sampling is crucial for a precise diagnosis.

Biography :

Email: rcaparica@hotmail.com