Lung Cancer

Question 1

What are some risk factors for lung cancer?

Answer 1

Smoking - high number of pack yrs
Airflow obstruction
Increasing age
Family history
Exposure to carcinogens e.g. asbestos

Question 2

What are some clinical features of lung cancer?

Answer 2

Horners syndrome
Clubbing
Hypercalcaemia
SVC obstruction
Respiratory deterioration
SIADH

Question 3

What diagnostic tests can be done?

Answer 3

Bloods - FBC, U&E, ca2+, LFTs, INR
CXR
Staging CT - spiral CT thorax and abdomen

Question 4

What are some ways for biopsies to be taken for histology?

Answer 4

US guided neck node FNA
Bronchoscope
CT guided biopsy
Thoracoscopy if pleural effusion is present

Question 5

What are the two histological groups the cancer can be classified into?

Answer 5

Small cell lung cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer

Question 6

What cancers are included in non-small cell?

Answer 6

Squamous cell
Adenocarcinoma
Large cell carcinoma
Bronchoalveolar cancer