Cancers Flashcards
- Peripheral
- Bronchioalveolar subtype grows along alveolar septa –> apparent thickening of alveolar walls.
Adenocarcinoma Location/Histology
- Most common lung cancer in NONSMOKERS and FEMALES.
- Activating mutations in k-ras and associated with hypertrophic osteoarthropathy - clubbing.
- Bronchioalveolar subtype CXR shows hazy infiltrates similar to pneumonia w/excellent prognosis.
Adenocarcinoma Characteristics
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Location and Histology
- Central
- Keratin Pearls and intercellular bridges.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Characteristics (“C”)
- Central, Cavitation, Cigarrettes, hyperCalcemia (produces PTHrP)
- Hilar mass arising from bronchus in Male Smokers
Small cell (oat cell) Carcinoma Location and Histology
- Central
- Neoplasm of neuroendocrine KULCHITSKY cells which are small, dark, blue cells.
Small cell (oat cell) Carcinoma Characteristics (“S”)
- Small, Central, Syndromes, and Smokers
- Undifferentiated, very aggressive.
- May produce ACTH, ADH, or Antibodies against presynaptic calcium channels (Lambert-Eaton Syndrome).
- Amplification of myc oncogenes.
- INoperable and treated with chemo.
Large cell Carcinoma Location and Histology
- Peripheral and Pleomorphic Giant Cells
Large Cell Carcinoma Characteristics
- Highly anaplastic, undifferentiated tumor w/poor prognosis.
- Removed surgically, does not respond to chemo.
Bronchial Carcinoid Tumor Histology
- Nests of neuroendocrine cells that are CHROMOGRANIN positive.
- Well-differentiated and can show as polyps in the bronchus.
Bronchial Carcinoid Tumor Characteristics
- Good prog, metastasis rare.
- Symptoms usually due to mass effect, occasionally carcinoid syndrome (serotonin secretion which leads to flushing, diarrhea, wheezing).
Mesothelioma Location and Histology
- Pleural and Psammoma Bodies
Mesothelioma Characteristics
- Associated with asbestosis.
- Results in hemorrhagic pleural effusions and pleural thickening.
- Present with Dyspnea and chest pain.
Pancoast Tumor
- Carcinoma in apex of lung may affect cervical sympathetic plexus (compressing the sympathetic chain), causing Horner’s Syndrome.
Horner’s Syndrome
- Ipsilateral ptosis (droopy eyelid), miosis (pupil constriction), and anhidrosis (no sweating).
Brochioalveolar Carcinoma
- Peripheral, not related to smoking.
- Arises from Clara Cells along bronchioles and alveoli leading to Pneumonia like consolidation.
- Grows along alveolar septa with apparent thickening of alveolar walls.
