Lung cancer Flashcards
What are the risk factors for Lung cancer
- Cigarette smoking and passive smoking
- asbestos
- occupational/environmental hazards e.g diesel fumes
- genetic pre-disposition
- lung disease
- previous malignancies
Are there any screening tools in the UK for lung cancer
NO
What are the signs and symptoms of lung cancer
More than 90% are symptomatic and it could be
- tumour related
- non-specific systemic symptoms
- metastatic disease
Respiratory symptoms experienced:
- cough
- dyspnoea
- chest pain
- haemoptysis
- wheezing
Complications include:
- nerve compression
- superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO)
- pleural effusion
- dysphasgia
- bone pain
Signs include:
- unilateral wheeze
- inspiratory crackle over a lobe
- reduced breathe sound over a lobe
- clubbing
- cachexia (weakness/wasting of the body)
- anaemia
What are the investigations of lung cancer
- chest x-ray
- CT scan
- PET-CET - can indicate where the cancer is
- Biopsy
What are the two different types of lung cancer called
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
- more difficult to diagnose and detect with chest X-ray as it associated with glandular cells located within the peripheral of the lung
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
-Strong associated with cigarette smoking and can be seen on x-rays because it is more at the centre of the lungs.
What cytogenetic mutation occurs with Lung cancer
- EGFR
- ALK (anapaestic lymphoma kinase) receptor
- ROS-1
- BRAF
- KRAS
- PD-1 expression
What is the staging of lung cancer
T - tumour size, extent of invasion and penetration of tumour boundaries
T1 - tumour 3cm or less
T2 - tumour more than 3cm but less than 5cm
T3 - tumour more than 5cm but less than 7cm
T4 - tumour more than 7cm
N- number and presence of lymph nodes involved
N0 - no regional lymph nodes metastasis
N1 - single node <2cm
N2 - single node 2-5cm
N3 - multiple nodes >5cm; multiple node involvement across the body
M - Metastasis
M0- no distant metastasis
M1 - distant metastasis
What are the treatment options for NSCLC
- surgery
- neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy + surgery
- radical radiotherapy
- radical chemotherapy
- palliative chemo - symptomatic support + radiotherapy
In NSCLC what types of patients is surgery indicated for
- anyone without metastasis
- small tumour + no nodal involvement
Who is adjuvant chemotherapy targeted towards
- for stage II and III patients
- patients with good performance status
- within 8 weeks of surgery
Compare Cisplatin to Carboplatin
Cisplatin:
- has an increased overall survival
- more nausea and vomiting associated with it
Carboplatin:
-more thrombocytopenia and neurotoxicity associated with it
The both have an equal response when used with 3rd gen chemo agents
They both have no difference in neutropenia, alopecia or renal toxicity
Who is palliative chemotherapy for and what is the recommended regimen
- its for symptomatic benefits and prolonged survival in patients with stage IIIB & IV
- recommended regimen is dependent on the type of malignancy and mutations present
What is Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)
- it controls cell proliferation and growth
- mutations in Tyrosine Kinase (intracellular domains) result in signalling activation
Who are EGFR mutations common in
- adenocarcinoma
- non smoker
- females
- asian patients
What is the targeted treatment for EGFR mutations (called EGFR inhibitors)
- Erlotinib
- Gefitinib
- Osimertinib