Intrathoracic Spread
When carcinoma of the lung causes symptoms though intrathoracic spread, it tends to do so in only two primary ways:
Whatever the mode of spread, most of the associated symptoms occur once the disease has reached either the chest wall or the mediastinum. If it was central, mediastinal problems tend to occur. If the tumor was located very inferior, diaphragmatic symptoms may be expected. If it began out in the periphery, chest wall problems are usually noted first.
Clinical problems that result from extension to the chest wall aren't difficult to understand. Since the parietal pleura is one of the few pain-sensitive structures in the area, this may be the first time the patient experiences pain. Pleural effusion is also a common condition related to this process. If the tumor happened to start near the apex of the lung, a syndrome knows as "Pancoast Tumor" may develop, involving complaints related to damage of CB-T1 roots.