Exam 4 - Lung Cancer

Question 1

True/False: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the US?

Answer 1

TRUE

Question 2

Lung cancer facts:

Answer 2

• arises from the epithelium of respiratory tract
• no screening tests
• usually diagnosed with a progressive disease
• most lethal, when diagnosed it is usually at a dangerous level

Question 3

What is responsible for 80-90% of lung cancers?

Answer 3

Cigarette smoking

Question 4

List the risk factors for lung cancer:

Answer 4

• smoking
• genetic predisposition
• TB
• previous radiation, low level radiation
• air pollution
• age (more exposure)

Question 5

Pathophysiology of lung cancer:

Answer 5

• decreased oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange with alveolar disease
• disease affecting bronchi and bronchioles – airway obstruction, accumulation of secretions leading to wheezing and pneumonia
• sometimes concealed by pneumonia on chest x-ray

Question 6

Clinical manifestations of lung cancer:

Answer 6

• early - none
• later - cough, change in respiratory pattern, SOB, bloody or rust colored sputum, hemoptysis, unexplained weight loss, chest, shoulders, back, arm pain; pleural effusion, recurrent bronchitis, pneumonia; cough, wheezing, stridor, pericardial effusion and tamponade (bleeding in pericardial sac.

Question 7

List methods of diagnosis of lung cancer:

Answer 7

• bronchoscopy
• thoracentesis if plural effusion is present
• sputum for cytology
• imaging studies: CXR, MRI, CT
• biopsy: percutaneous CT guided, mediastinoscopy (video-guided), open lung biopsy
• types of lung cancer

Question 8

Metastasis of LC locally:

Answer 8

heart, larynx, superior vena cava, mediastinum

Question 9

Metastasis of LC distant:

Answer 9

brain, kidney, liver, adrenal glands, lymph nodes

Question 10

What is SVC syndrome?

Answer 10

• potentially life-threatening as tumor obstructs the superior vina cava
• SOB, facial and arm swelling
• venous stasis
• distended veins