Associations with radiation esposure include bone cancer, leukemias, and thyroid cancer. Most patients with malignant neoplasms that are extensive have weight loss. In his case, the physical findings suggest a possible paraneoplastic syndrome. The oat cell cancer may be secreting an ACTH- like substance that is leading to increased glucocorticoid production and Cushing's syndrome. Name the ways that tumors can spread.
Carcinomas like to spread via lymphatics, first to local nodes and then to distant sites.
They may also spread hematogenously. Any tumor can spread by local extension. Sarcomas like to spread via the bloodstream and less commonly via lymphatics.