A cadaveric case study on lung cancer pathology

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer amongst both genders, currently accounting for about 18% of all cancer deaths. OBJECTIVES: The overall purpose of this study was to evaluate the pathology associated with the patient’s cause of death, cardiorespiratory failure and lung cancer. The secondary aims of this study were to confirm the presence of malignant neoplasms within a human cadaver, determine the type of cancer present, and take specimens for histological examination to evaluate the patient’s cause of death. METHODS: This is a case report from one of the cadavers in the Gross Anatomy laboratory at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, South Georgia campus. Samples were taken from the patient’s lungs and then sent to the Colquitt Regional Medical Center laboratory for histopathological processing. RESULTS: Histopathological analysis of the lungs demonstrated a non-small cell carcinoma of the adenocarcinoma type with acute bronchopneumonia, pulmonary edema and congestion. The pneumonia was probably due to the weakened immune system caused by the adenocarcinoma. Anthracotic pigment in dust cells was also seen histologically, suggesting the patient may have been a smoker or lived in a heavily polluted area. CONCLUSION: The histopathological evaluation of the patient provided a valuable lens into the incidence of lung cancer contributing to secondary pathologies associated with cause of death