Pericardial effusion due to metastatic prostate cancer: a case report
Friday, June 13th, 2008.
Hinyokika Kiyo. 2008 May;54(5):369-72. [Link]
Yagihashi Y, Okinami T, Fukuzawa S, Kuriki K.
Shimada Municipal Hospital.
Abstract
We describe a patient whose complaints were related to pericardial effusion due to prostatic carcinoma. An 80-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of chest discomfort and dyspnea. The chest radiograph revealed cardiomegaly and computed tomographic scan showed a large pericardial effusion. Pericardiocentesis revealed sanguinous exudates. Cytologic study suggested metastatic adenocarcinoma or malignant mesothelioma. He died suddenly because of ventricular tachycardia. At autopsy, the major finding was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate with metastases to the mediastinum.
Glossary
- adenocarcinoma
- (add-en-o car-sin-o-muh). Cancer that starts in the glandular tissue, such as in the ducts or lobules of the breast.
- scan
- a study using either x-rays or radioactive isotopes to produce images of internal body organs.
- prostate
- (pros-tate) a gland found only in men. It is just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate makes a fluid that is part of semen. The tube that carries urine, the urethra, runs through the prostate.
- carcinoma
- (car-sin-o-ma) a malignant tumor that begins in the lining layer (epithelial cells) of organs. At least 80% of all cancers are carcinomas.
- mesothelioma
- a tumor derived from mesothelial tissue, such as the peritoneum (lining the abdomen) or pleura (lining the lungs). More on mesothelioma.
