Etymed
pulmonary adenocarcinoma
Definition
A malignant tumor of the lung that originates in the glandular tissue
Clinical context
A 58-year-old former smoker presents with a persistent cough, hemoptysis, and weight loss. A chest X-ray reveals a central mass in the right upper lobe with hilar lymphadenopathy. CT-guided biopsy confirms malignant cells with glandular differentiation. The patient is diagnosed with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer in non-smokers and women.
Mnemonic
PULMONARY ADENOCARCINOMA - 'Pleural' (pleural effusion) and 'Adeno' (glandular) features are common