Cardiac Tamponade as a Manifestation of Large Cell Carcinoma of the Lung

The following illustrates a case study of a 38 year-old male with large cell carcinoma of the lung who subsequently developed cardiac tamponade.The incidence, as well as the association of large cell carcinoma and cardiac tamponade are discussed.Also, discussed are the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of cardiac tamponade.Key Words: Large cell carcinoma, lung carcinoma, cardiac larnponade.Lung cancer is presently the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women.Jn 1988, it is estimated that approximately 93,000 males and 46,000 females in the United States will die of lung cancer alone.1 This tumor frequently metastasizes to the heart, with the pericardium the most common site of cardiac involvement.This metastatic involvement can sometimes present as an emergent situation .The following case demonstrates such an example. Case reportThe patient is a 38-year-old, white male with a history of large-cell (anaplastic type) carcinoma of the tung diagnosed in January 1987, by supraclavicular lymph node biopsy, after presenting with three months of anorexja, weakness and weight loss.The patient received local radiation therapy (total of 5,000 rads) over the course of 10 days and was subsequently treated with one dose of chemotherapy consisting of Velban, methotrexate, cis-platinum and mitomycin.Ten days after receiving chemotherapy he was readmitted to a local hospital presenting with acute onset of shortness of breath.A chest x-ray revealed a left upper lobe mass and a globular-shaped heart.