Lung Cancer

Question 1

5 signs and symptoms

Answer 1

• Digital Clubbing
• Hemoptysis
• Weight loss
• Loss of Appetite
• Dyspnea
• Chest pain / rib pain
• Fatigue
• New cough

Question 2

5 risk factors

Answer 2

• Age: 68-70
• PMHx: CA (lung, head, neck), COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis; Infection (TB, HPV 16/18 of the respiratory tract, previous PNA, HIV); SLE, RA, systemic sclerosis, DM, periodontal disease, obesity, DLD
• FHx: CA (lung, head, neck)
• SoHx: Current or previous tobacco smoking, vaping, cigars, dry pipe, exposure to 2nd hand smoke
• Previous exposure to asbestos, radon, chromium, nickel
• Occupational exposure: miners, painters, iron / steel workers, bricklayers, welders -> microscopic particles (silica, diesel fumes, chlorinated solvents)
• Environmental exposure: coal, biomass, unventilated cooking over high heat, air pollution

Question 3

Screening

Answer 3

55-74 and high risk:
• current smoker or smoked in past 15 yrs AND >/ 30 PYH
• screen with low dose CT q yearly for 3 consecutive years

Question 4

BLOODWORK W/ SUSPECTED LUNG CA DIAGNOSIS

Answer 4

• CBC, ALP, AST, ALT, Ca, Albumin, Lytes, Urea, Cr

Question 5

Features of a suspicious lung nodule

Answer 5

• > 8mm
• Irregular border
• Eccentric calcifications
• Spiculated

Question 6

Features of a benign lung nodule

Answer 6

• Old granulomas
• Peri-fissural lymph node
• Clear vascular pattern of a harmatoma or AV malformation

Question 7

Treatment for non small cell lung cancer

Answer 7

surgical resection stage I-II, chemo and radiation for stage III, palliative stage IV