Pulmonary Metastasis from Occult Primary Sites Resembling Bronchogenic Carcinoma

¹ Chief of Radiology Service.
² Chief of Laboratory Service.

Six cases of metastatic lung disease from occult primary sites, later proved to be in the pancreas, prostate and kidney, have been presented with the clinical, radiological and pathological features indistinguishable from bronchogenic carcinoma. Early diagnosis of such cases may not be possible.

Surgical exploration, if feasible, is the treatment of choice in pulmonary masses. Radiation therapy for palliation is recommended if malignancy is established or clinically diagnosed and surgery contra-indicated.

Extensive and prolonged diagnostic studies in order to prove the existence of a silent primary site is not in the patient's interest. Examination of the commonly reported sites, such as the genito-urinary and gastrointestinal tracts, could be carried out in a short period of time although frequently they fail to reveal the pathology.