A 70-year-old man with an 80-pack-year smoking history is evaluated because of a chronic cough of 6 months duration. Chest radiograph shows a 3-cm mass in the left perihilar region, and bronchoscopic biopsy confirms poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. There are no significant findings on physical examination, and all blood studies are normal. Bone scan and CT scan of the head are normal, but CT scans of the chest and abdomen show the mass and two 1-cm nodules in the right lobe of the liver. Intravenous contrast perfusion of the two nodules during the CT scan is not suspicious for hemangioma. Positron emission tomography scan shows distinct uptake in the left perihilar mass but only faint focal activity in the right lobe of the liver.Pulmonary function tests show mild obstructive disease. What is the best next step in this patient"s management?
A)Radiation therapy
B)Chemotherapy
C)CT-directed liver biopsy
D)Serum carcinoembryonic antigen test
E)Surgery

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

CT-directed liver biopsy is the best next step in this patient's management to confirm the presence of metastatic disease, which would significantly impact treatment decisions.

A 70-Year-Old Man with an 80-Pack-Year Smoking History Is Evaluated