Case 6: Haemoptysis Flashcards
what is haematemesis
vomiting blood
what is melena
black tarry stool indicating GI bleed
what is epistaxis
nose bleed
4 most possible diagnoses if experiencing haemoptysis
lung cancer (if smoker)
PE
infection (pneumonia or TB)
vasculitis
2 good questions to ask for suspicion of lung cancer
do they smoke
have they noticed the ends of their fingers becoming swollen
2 good questions to ask for suspicion of PE
do they suddenly feel more breathless
do they have acute chest pain
2 good questions to ask for suspicion of infection (pneumonia or TB)
are they producing lots of sputum
do they have fever
2 good questions to ask for suspicion of vasculitis
any nose bleeds or haematuria
any purpuric rash
what is the most common type of lung cancer
NSCLC (80-85%)
what is the less common type of lung cancer
SCLC (15-20%)
main subtypes of NSCLC
adenocarcimoma
squamous cell
large cell
adenocarcinoma is more commonly seen in which subtype of people
non smokers and women
squamous cell carcinomas are normally more related with what
smokers
what type of lung cancer grows and spreads more rapidly
SCLC
most people with SCLC normally present at what stage of the disease
stage 4
which type of lung cancer is more chemotherapy responsive
SCLC (but this generally carries a poorer prognosis due to late detection of the disease)
what are the 2 indications for suspected lung cancer referral
chest x-ray findings that suggest lung cancer
aged over 40 with unexplained haemoptysis
what testing is usually done with rapid access lung cancer clinics
straight to CT approach
this is followed by timely radiology report and then physician review
what may happen to the patient when intravenous contrast is injected
hot flush
why are patients kept in the clinic 15 minutes following the contrast injection
in case of an allergic reaction
most patients feel a warming sensation
what mild reaction may happen after injection of contrast
nausea and vomiting in 5%
what moderate reaction may happen after injection of contrast
hives and swelling in 1%
is anaphylaxis common following contrast injection
no severe reactions are rare in 0.1%
what different manifestations can lung cancer have
paraneoplastic manifestation
what are paraneoplastic manifestations
symptoms that develop when a malignant tumor causes changes in your body that aren’t directly caused by the cancer itself
the tumour may secrete a hormone or protein that affects a particular body system
how can lung cancer cause lambert-eaton syndrome
can cause autoantibodies that block ach being released in muscle synapses
lambert-eaton syndrome symptoms
muscle weakness
how can lung cancer cause syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
there is release of anti-diuretic hormone causing low sodium
symptoms of SIADH
nausea
vomiting
confusion
in severe cases seizures