A 65-Year-Old Man Comes to the Office Due to a Persistent

A 65-year-old man comes to the office due to a persistent dry cough for 6 months. During this time period, he has also had fatigue and a 4.5-kg (10-lb) weight loss. The patient has no history of serious illness and does not take any medications. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 35 years. Physical examination reveals decreased breath sounds and dullness to percussion at the left lung base.   Imaging studies show an irregular mass in the lower lobe of the left lung and a left pleural effusion.  A diagnostic thoracocentesis is performed and the aspirated fluid is sent for cytological evaluation.  If a malignancy is diagnosed, it is most likely to be which of the following types?

A) Adenocarcinoma
B) Bronchial carcinoid
C) Mesothelioma
D) Small cell carcinoma
E) Squamous cell carcinoma

Correct Answer:

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