Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer with Cerebellar Metastases – A Case Report

Authors

  • Zhi Xiong Chong Final Year Medical Student, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (Malaysian Science University), Malaysia.
  • Nazmi M. Noori MBBS, PhD. Department of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (Malaysian Science University), Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2015.117

Keywords:

Lung Neoplasms, Small Cell Lung Carcinoma, Neoplasms Metastasis, Cerebellar Neoplasms

Abstract

Background: Small cell lung cancer is an aggressive subtype of lung cancer whereby about one-third of cases are complicated with brain metastases. However, cerebellar metastases are uncommon and contribute to less than 10% of brain metastases.

Case: We report a 76-year-old Malay male, an active smoker who presented with dyspnea and occasional cough with hemoptysis for one week. He also presented with headache and constitutional symptoms of malignancy. Clinical examination suggested the presence of right upper chest pathology and positive left cerebellar signs. His condition deteriorated two days later and he passed away after failed attempts at resuscitation. Chest radiograph showed right upper lobe collapse, and brain magnetic resonance imaging showed metastatic lesion in the left cerebellum extending to the right cerebellum. Post-mortem findings revealed small cell lung cancer with cerebellar metastases.

Conclusion: Small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases deteriorate very rapidly, and the management is mainly supportive. Primary prevention through education is the best way to reduce the incidence of lung cancer. In addition, secondary prevention and screening should be undertaken at earlier stages of the disease, as some studies have shown that combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy improve prognosis of malignancies detected at early stage

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Author Biography

Zhi Xiong Chong, Final Year Medical Student, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (Malaysian Science University), Malaysia.

Chong Zhi Xiong is currently a fifth year medical student of Universiti Sains  Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia of a five year program. He is also a winner in scientific poster competition in East Asian Medical Student Conference (EAMSC) in Japan in 2013.

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Published

2015-02-08

How to Cite

Xiong Chong, Z., & Noori, N. M. (2015). Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer with Cerebellar Metastases – A Case Report. International Journal of Medical Students, 3(1), 55–58. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2015.117

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Case Report

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