Exploring the Potentials of Pulmonary Malignancy as a Contributing Factor to Pulmonary Edema

The goal of this study is to investigate the cause of pulmonary edema as a result of pulmonary malignancy. The first phase of investigation occurred with a dissection of gross anatomy. When opening the thoracic cavity, the left lung was grazed and copious amounts of fluid seeped from the lung. Upon the initial observation of gross anatomy, both lungs appeared to be enlarged and exhibited an abnormal color. During the dissection, the left lung was noticeably larger than the right lung which could have compressed the heart. Upon palpation of the right lung, a large mass could be felt in the lower lobe. The apex of the right lung was covered in additional fibrotic connective tissue that adhered the apex of the lung up to the most superior aspect of the thoracic cavity. We believe this could potentially be related to malignancy.

In order to successfully investigate this hypothesis, histological samples from each lobe of both lungs and the areas of perceived fibrotic tissue would need to be prepared, stained, juxtaposed with normal tissue samples to appropriately assess for malignancy. From there we can determine if the patient had pulmonary edema that could be caused by malignancy or another pathology.