bronchial carcinoma Flashcards
what Is it?
most common malignant tumour worldwide
what are the causes?
pollution ,smoking (passive or active), asbestos, chromates, nickel, radiation and genetics
what are the symptoms? (7)
weightless, cough, haemoptysis, breathlessness, chest pain, wheeze, recurrent/slow resolving pneumonia
what are the signs? (7)
clubbing, anaemia, dull percusion, lymphadenopathy, hypercalcaemia, HPOA, SIADH
what investigations are taken place?
PET scan and CT scan, CXR, cytology, Tissue diagnosis, FBC
If a patient has a bronchial carcinoma, what will the CXR look like?
consolidation, pleural effusion, mass lesion, lung collapse
what is used for tissue diagnosis in patients with a bronchial carcinoma?
bronchoscopy, thorascopy, CT guided biopsy, EBU and aspiration of pleural fluid
what are the complications of a bronchial carcinoma?
metastatic spread and local invasion
examples where may there be metastatic spread? (6)
brain, oesophagus, pericardium, chest wall, brachial plexus, SVC obstruction
what are symptoms you may get if there’s metastatic spread to the brain?
headaches, visual disturbances, weakness and fits
what symptoms may you get if there’s metastatic spread to the liver
weight loss, anorexia, right upper quadrant pain radiating across abdomen
what is the treatment for small cell bronchial carcinomas?
chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and potentially palliative care
what is the treatment for non small cell bronchial carcinomas?
surgery (lobectomy/pneumenectomy) , high dose radiotherapy, palliative chemotherapy
what’s involved in palliative care?
emotional/psychological support, photodynamic therapy or endocrine therapy for stent insertion
