Book 4 - Self Instructional Manual for Cancer Registrars - SEER ...

Clinical ManifestationsClinical manifestations which are significant in the diagnosis of lung cancer are:• Atelectasis (incomplete expansion--airless/functionless)• Obstructive pneumonitis (inflammation)° Superior vena cava syndrome (edema of the face, neck, and upper arms) caused by compressionof the superior vena cava (most often by enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes)° Vocal cord paralysis caused by involvement of the recurrent laryngeal nerve• Paralysis of the diaphragm as a result of phrenic nerve involvement° Pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid in the interpleural space (pleural cavity))These findings are used in the clinical assessment of lung cancer.158