A 68-year-old man with a 40-pack-year history presents with hemoptysis and weight loss. CT chest shows a 3.2 cm spiculated right upper lobe mass with pleural puckering and ipsilateral mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The most likely histological type of lung cancer in this location and with these imaging characteristics is:
- A Adenocarcinoma ✓
- B Small cell carcinoma
- C Squamous cell carcinoma
- D Large cell carcinoma
Correct answer: A. Adenocarcinoma
Explanation
Adenocarcinoma is the most common lung cancer overall and typically presents as a peripheral spiculated mass, often in the upper lobes, with pleural tags and subpleural location. This is distinct from squamous cell carcinoma, which tends to be central and cavitating. Small cell carcinoma is almost always central with rapid mediastinal spread. Large cell carcinoma is peripheral but lacks the spiculated morphology characteristic of adenocarcinoma.
Reference: Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.