A 65 year old woman in good health goes to the doctor with a chronic cough. She is a nonsmoker and x-ray shows a small growth in the right lung. Tumor markers for lung cancer are negative. The pathology report indicates the lung tumor is a secondary tumor from the small intestine. She is referred for treatment.
1. What factors in her history indicate a risk of cancer for her?
2. What is the significance of a negative test for tumor markers in this case?
3. How did the small intestine tumor cells reach the lungs?
1.The pathology report has indicated that the lung tumor(secondary tumor ) is from the intestinal tumor (primary tumor). In simple terms it means there was a tumor in the intestine called as first or primary tumor which has spread to the lung and so called to be secondary tumor.
2.The tumor markers are not most reliable when compared to the pathological test.The main significance of a negative test for tumor markers in this case indicates the test can be imperfect sensitivity where a false ndgatuv result can occur ,when the cancer as already occured son other body parts by that time.
3.This is a process of metastasis which happens in all cancer cells because of its spreading nature ,the cancer cells reaches other organ via blood vessels.The lungs being one part of the blood circulation which makes the cancer cell to reach it and cause the same type of tumor in it.
A 65 year old woman in good health goes to the doctor with a chronic cough....
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