Lung Cancer Flashcards
What is Lung cancer epidemiology? (2 things)
- 3rd most common cancer in da UK
- 1st in cancer related deaths in da UK
What are the causes of Lung Cancer? (2 things)
- Smoking (80-90% of cases)
- Asbestos
What are the divisions of Lung cancer? (2 things)
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (80%)
- Adenocarcinoma (40%)
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (20%)
- Large Cell Carcinoma (10%)
Small Cell Lung Cancer (20%) (most dangerous)
Where in the lungs does Adenocarcinoma occur?
Mucus secreting cells of Lung peripheries
Which type of Lung cancer is a non-smoker most likely to have?
Adenocarcinoma
What is the most common type of Lung cancer?
Adenocarcinoma (Non-Small Cell)
Where in the lung does Squamous cell carcinoma occur?
Central part of lungs
How does Squamous cell carcinoma present? (apart from normal lung cancer CF)?
Pneumonia (2ndary to obstructed bronchus)
Does metastases occur EARLY or LATE in Squamous cell carcinoma?
Late
What is the epidemiology of Large cell carcinoma?
5% of lung cancers
Does metastases occur EARLY or LATE in Large cell carcinoma?
EARLY
What is the pathophysiology of Small Cell Lung Cancer? (2 things)
- Uncontrolled prolif of APUD cells (small immature Neuroendocrine cells in lungs)
- Cells contrain Neurosecretory granules –> release Neuroendocrine hormones –> cause Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Where does Small Cell Lung Cancer usually arise?
Centrally: in larger airways
What is special about Small Cell Lung Cancer?
Exclusive to smokers
What are the CF of Lung Cancer? (12 things)
- Cough (80%)
- Haemoptysis (70%)
- SOB (60%)
- Chest pain (40%)
- Fever n Malaise
- Hoarseness (bc recurrent laryngeal nerve clarted)
- Stridor
- Wheeze
- Lymphadenopathy (supraclavicular nodes 1st)
- Clubbing
- Weight loss
- Paraneoplastic Features (mainly in Small Cell)
What are the Extra-Pulmonary manifestations of Lung Cancer? (4 things)
- Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy
- Phrenic Nerve Palsy
- Superior Vena Cava obst
- Horner’s Syndrome
What is Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy?
What does it cause?
Cancer presses on Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (as it passes thru mediastinum)
Causes –> Hoarse voice
What is Phrenic Nerve Palsy?
What does it cause? (2 things)
Cancer presses on Phrenic Nerve
Causes:
- Diaphrahm weakness
- SOB
What is Superior Vena Cava Obstruction?
What does it cause? (4 things)
Cancer presses on SVC
Causes:
- Facial + Arm swelling
- SOB
- Distended veins in Neck + Upper chest
- Pemberton’s Sign
What is Pemberton’s Sign? (3 things)
- Sign of Superior Vena Cava Obst
- When you raise hands over head –> Facial congestion + Cyanosis
- MEDICAL EMERGENCY
What is Horner’s Syndrome?
What are it’s CF? (3 things)
Pancoast tumour (Pulmonary apex tumour, usually a Squamous Cell Carcinoma) pressing on Sympathetic ganglion
Triad of
- Anhidrosis (loss of sweating on face)
- Partial Ptosis (upper eyelid dropping)
- Miosis (small pupil)