Pancoast tumor is a tumor of lung apex and it is situated at top end of either left or right lung.Many pancoast tumors are non-small cell cancers.
Apical neoplasm may invade brachial or cervical sympathetic plexus to cause severe pain the distribution of ulnar nerve or to produce Horner syndrome. Pancoast tumors often are accompanied by the destruction of first and second ribs and sometimes thoracic vertebrae.
Sign and symptoms
The sign and symptoms of pancoast tumors include Horner syndrome in severe cases;
- Ipsilateral enophthalmosis
- Ptosis
- Miosis
- Anhidrosis
- In severe cases brachial plexus is also compressed causing pain in hand and arm and symptomatology typical of thoracic vertebral syndrome
