8 May Flashcards
Solitary pulmonary nodule DDx and workup including features of benign vs cancerous lesions
DDx: pneumonia, cancer, carcinoid tumor, granuloma, hamartoma
Workup: compare to previous x-rays to assess progression and growth of lesion, if not available then do CT scan
Benign lesions: less than 35y, no change from prior films, central uniform lesion with smooth margins, less than 2cm, no LAD; followup CXR 3-6mo
Cancerous lesions: smoker, over 45y, new or progressing lesion, no calcifications or irregular calcifications, greater than 2 cm, irregular margins; get Pet scan or biopsy, or immediate resection
What is the most common type of lung cancer seen in non-smokers?
Adenocarcinoma
How are lung nodules diagnosed definitively?
Bronchoscopy with biopsy and brushings or fine needle aspiration
Name the four types of primary lung cancer
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Small cell carcinoma
Large cell carcinoma
What is the location and characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma?
Centrally located
Cavitary lesions, direct extension to hilar lymph nodes
What is the location and characteristics of adenocarcinoma?
Peripherally located
wide metastases, can be caused by asbestos, pleural effusions show increased hyaluronidase levels, bronchialveolar cancer is a subtype that is low grade and occurs in single nodules
What is the location and characteristics of small cell carcinoma?
Centrally located
rapidly growing, early distant metastases, several neoplastic syndromes
What is the location and characteristics of large cell carcinoma?
late distant metastases, early cavitation
Which lung cancers are centrally located?
Squamous cell and small cell
Squamous and Small are Sentrally located (Remember the S)
Which lung cancers are peripherally located?
Adenocarcinoma, Large cell carcinoma
Which lung cancer is associated with hypercalcemia?
Squamous cell
Which lung cancer is associated with gynecomastia?
Large cell
Which lung cancer is associated with cushing syndrome?
Small cell
Which lung cancer is associated with DIC, thrombophlebitis, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia?
Adenocarcinoma
Which lung cancer is associated with SIADH, neuropathy, ectopic growth hormone production, subacute cerebellar degeneration, and many others?
Small cell
What paraneoplastic syndrome is associated with all four lung cancers?
Dermatomyositis
What is Pancoast syndrome?
Horner syndrome with addition of brachial plexus involvement
Which lung cancer is peripherally located and would show elevated hyaluronidase levels in pleural effusion?
Adenocarcinoma
Which lung cancer is centrally located and shows cavitary lesions?
Squamous cell
What is the primary treatment for small cell carcinoma of the lung?
Primary therapy is chemotherapy