Lung Cancer Flashcards
What neoplasm is associated with Eaton-Lamberts myasthenia crisis?
SCLC
Paraneoplastic syndromes associated with SCLC?
Eaton-Lamberts
Cushing’s (ectopic ACTH production)
SIADH
Neurologic syndromes (SCLC and Squamous)
Recurrent hypercalcemia after cancer resection. What’s going on?
PTHrp made by squamous cell cancer. Recurrent hyperCA = recurrent cancer
T stage for tumor that involves bronchus <2cm from carina
T3 (>2cm is T2, <2cm is T3). Involvement of carina is T4
T stage for tumor that invades pleura
T3 (includes invasion of chest wall, pericardium, phrenic)
T stage if 2 nodules in same lobe
separate Tumor nodules in same lobe is T3. satellite nodule in ipsilateral non-primary lobe is T4
Staging for contralateral lobe tumor?
M1
Tenets for determining tumor stage
All M1 –> Stage 4
N0 –> 1a (T1), 1b (T2), 2b (T3), 3a (T4); except T2b (4-5cm) is 2a
N1 –> 2b (T1, T2) or 3a (T3, T4)
N2 –> 3a (T1, T2) or 3b (T3, T4)
N3 –> 3b (T1, T2) or 3c (T3, T4)
When do you get invasive mediastinal staging?
Anything not T1 (>3cm) or anything with suspected mediastinal disease
(Nodes >1cm)
Any T3 lesion or central tumor needs routine mediastinoscopy
What is the sump node exception?
LUL cancer drains to 5 and 6, so can resect in this situation (despite N2)
What is the basic lung nodule workup?
Basic labs
PFTs
CT IV contrast and thin cuts
PET
Head CT Or MRb if Stage II or greater
EKG
Stress test to assess for operative suitability
Workup for SOLID incidental nodule:
<6mm: (nothing if low risk, 12 mo stability scan If high risk)
6-8mm: CT 6-12mo; if stable rpt scan at 18-24
> 8mm: CT 3mo vs PET vs bx
Pre-operative studies to order for Pancoast tumor?
After confirmed on biopsy for tissue diagnosis:
1. PET/CT
2. Brain MR
3. EBUS/Mediastinoscopy
4. MR chest to assess for brachial nerve/foramenal involvement
5. PFTs
6. Stress Test
Initial therapy for Pancoast tumor
Induction chemoradiation (cisplatin/etoposide + 45Gy, concurrent for 3 cycles)
60Gy radiation is tx for unresectable Pancoast
Which nerve roots can you resect for Pancoast tumors?
T1 nerve root (No residual motor deficit, some numbness/weakness of intrinsic hand muscles)
C8 nerve root resection will leave motor dysfunction (can partially overcome with PT)
Contraindications to resection of Pancoast tumors?
- N2 or N3 disease
- Extensive vascular invasion
- Brachial plexus involvement more extensive than C8-T1
- Transverse process involvement (T4) is resectable but vertebral body involvement (T4) is unresectable
Suspected diagnosis and treatment of headache after pancoast tumor resection?
Suspect CSF leak
Tx: bedrest, antibiotics, CT myelogram (air in ventricles also diagnostic)
If leak, treat with spinal drain and chest tube. If persists, then thoracotomy and intercostal muscle flap and chest tube. If dural tear, NSGY for dural patch
Surgical approach to carina
R chest or median sternotomy w/ transpericardial approach
Suspicion in post-pneumonectomy patient with wet cough post-op?
BPF, confirm with CXR showing air-fluid level
then place chest tube and OR for evaluation and repair
Operative treatment for fresh post-op BPF?
bronch to evaluate stump. reopen thoractomy. If small dehiscence → direct repair
If large dehiscence → trim and reclose bronchus
Cover stump with well-vascularized pedicel (pectoralis flap, serratus, or omentum). If stump too short, suture flap circumferentially around defect
Place 2 chest tubes for irrigation and close (daily antibiotic irrigation and daily pleural fluid cultures post-op until negative)
Options for post-pneumonectomy empyema? (3)
Systemic abx and chest tube drainage. Bronchoscopy to determine size and location of defect
- Claggett: open pleural drainage/pack, obliteration of cavity (once granulation tissue formed) with debridement antibiotic solution and close
- If won’t tolerate muscle flap, can do Eloesser flap: upside down U at level of cavity, marsupialize flap, pack
- If even worse, definitive reduction is thoracoplasty (rib resections to collapse chest wall)
Questions to ask when suspicious for lung cancer?
Risk:age, smoking history, h/o previous cancer, exposure, travel history, common cancer screening results
Lung sx: unremitting cough, chest pain, hemoptysis, dyspnea/stridor
Consitutional: fever/chills, weight loss, fatigue
CNS: headache, n/v, mental status changes
Physical exam: diminsted breath sounds, lmited chest wall excuriosn, LAD, clubbing, ypertrophic osteoarthropathy
Describe a Chamberlain procedure:
prep chest from chin to umbilicus. Small transverse incision in 2nd ICS just lateral to edge of sternum. Remove costochondral cartilage with rongeur
Retract or transect IMA
Retract pleura laterally to explose mediastinum ad PA nodes
Place mediastinoscope for visualization. Biopsy nodes with forceps and confirm adequate sampling with frozen section analysis
How would you approach tumor invading SVC?
T3. resect and primary repair if 30% involved, patch repair if 50% involved, resection and spiral vein or 12mm Gore Tex tube if unrepairable