Lung cancer

Question 1

Types of lung cancer?

Answer 1

Non small cell lung cancer: (80%)
- Adenocarcinoma ( 40%)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (20%)
- Large cell carcinoma (10%)
- Other types ( 10%)

Small cell lung cancer ( 20%)

Question 2

Signs + symptoms of lung cancer?

Answer 2

Shortness of breath
cough
haemoptysis
finger clubbing ( sign of cancer)
Recurrent pneumonia
Weight loss
Lymphadenopathy

Question 3

Investigation of lung cancer?

Answer 3

Chest X-ray is first line

Staging CT scan

PET CT

Bronchoscopy

Histological diagnosis

Question 4

Treatment options for lung cancer?

Answer 4

Surgery
Radiotherapy
chemotherapy
treatment of small cell lung cancer
Endobronchial treatment

Question 5

What is a Mesothelioma?

Answer 5

Cancer caused by asbestos inhalation affects mesothelial cells.

Question 6

Risk factors of lung cancer?

Answer 6

Smoking tobacco
Asbestos
X-ray of chest
CT scan of chest
Air pollution
Radon gas

Question 7

What is small cell carcinoma?

Answer 7

Small tumour that grow from neuroendocrine cells

associated with smoking

Develops near main bronchus

Grows fast + rapidly metastasizes

It can secrete hormones ( paraneoplastic syndrome):
- Increase ACTH
- Increase ADH
- Increase auto antibodies ( lambert eaton syndrome)

Question 8

What is non-small cell carcinoma?

Answer 8

Squamous cell:
- centrally located
- associated with smoking
- Can release parathyroid hormone = decrease calcium = brittle bone

Adenocarcinoma:
- form near alveoli

Large cell:
- Throughout lungs

Bronchial carcinoid
- throughout lung
- Release serotonin = asthma + diarrhoea

Question 9

What would you see on chest x-ray for lung cancer?

Answer 9

Coin lesion

Question 10

What would you see on chest CT scan for lung cancer?

Answer 10

Non calcified nodule