Lung Cancer Flashcards
What are the two histological types of lung cancer?
1) small cell lung cancer (20%)
2) non-small cell lung cancer (80%
Which has a worse prognosis, small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer?
small cell lung cancer
Give 3 subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer?
1) adenocarcinoma (40%)
2) squamous cell carcinoma (20%)
3) large cell carcinoma (10%)
What type of lung cancer are responsible for numerous neuroendocrine related paraneoplastic syndromes?
Small cell lung cancers
What is the name of the lung cancer that affects the pleura cells?
mesothelioma
What is the main cause of mesothelioma?
asbestos exposure
True or false: the prognosis for mesothelioma is very poor
true (treatment is essentially all palliative)
Describe the natural history of mesothelioma:
following asbestos exposure, there is a long latent period before the development of mesothelioma (this can take up to 45 years)
What is the most significant and preventable cause of lung cancer?
smoking
Give 7 presenting features of lung cancer:
1) SOB
2) cough
3) weight loss
4) recurrent pneumonia
5) haemoptysis
6) finger clubbing
7) lymphadenopathy (esp. supraclavicular nodes)
Other than smoking, what are 4 other risk factors for lung cancer?
- Air pollution
- Family history
- Male sex
- Radon gas
Name 9 extrapulmonary manifestations of lung cancer?
- Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy
- Phrenic nerve palsy
- Superior vena cava obstruction
- Horner’s syndrome
- Syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH)
- Cushings syndrome
- Hypercalcaemia
- Limbic encephalitis
- Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
What causes recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in lung cancer?
the tumour can compress the recurrent laryngeal nerve as it passes through the mediastinum
How does recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy present?
Hoarse voice
How does phrenic nerve palsy present?
diaphragm weakness and shortness of breath
What causes phrenic nerve palsy in lung cancer?
the tumour can compress the phrenic nerve
What causes superior vena cava obstruction in lung cancer?
direct tumour compression of the superior vena cava
Give 4 presentations associated with superior vena cava obstruction:
- Facial swelling
- Difficulty breathing
- Distended neck and chest veins
- Pemberton’s sign
What is Pemberton’s sign?
raising hands over the head causes facial congestion and cyanosis
What is Permberton’s sign indicative of?
Superior vena cava obstruction
What is Horner’s syndrome?
An interruption of nerve supply from the brain to the face and eye, on one side of the body. Usually caused due to injury to the spinal cord, stroke, tumor or underlying conditions.
What are the three features of Horner’s syndrome?
- ptosis (eyelids drooping)
- myosis (constriction of the pupil)
- anhidrosis (A condition in which the person does not sweat or prespire. This results in the increase in body heat and cause dizzines and in severe cases heatstroke.)
What causes Horner’s syndrome in lung cancer?
tumour compression on the sympathetic ganglion
What specific type of lung cancer is most likely to cause Horner’s syndrome?
Pancoast tumours (tumours in the pulmonary apex)
What is SIADH?
A condition where the body produces excess antidiuretic hormone leading to water retention and low sodium levels in the body. This causes hallucinations, disorientation, nausea and in severe cases coma.
What causes syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH) in lung cancer?
small cell lung cancer secreting ectopic ADH