Lung cancer

Question 1

Types of lung cancer (x3)

Answer 1

NSCLC: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma
SCLC

Non-small cell vs small cell

Question 2

Distribution of lung cancer (location)

Answer 2

• Central
• Peripheral

Question 3

Which lung cancers typically grow centrally?

Answer 3

Squamous cell carcinoma (smokers) and small-cell lung cancers.

Large cell carcinomas can grow anywhere

Question 4

Which lung cancer(s) grow peripherally?

Answer 4

Adenocarcinoma

Large cell carcinomas can grow anywhere

Question 5

Most common type of lung cancer.

Answer 5

Adenocarcinoma

Affects non-smokers

Question 6

Which cells do adenocarcinomas orignate from? Where are they found?

Answer 6

Glandular cells (mucus producing), found in the peripheries of lungs e.g. alveoli.

Question 7

Which cells do squamous cell lung carcinomas orignate from? Where are they found?

Answer 7

Bronchial flat cells (line the surface of the airways) and tends to grow near the lung’s centre.

THINK smoking : highest concentration of smoke.

Question 8

Which cells do small cell lung cancers originate from? Where are they found?

Answer 8

Neuroendocrine (Kulchitsky) cells of the lung. Often central, near bronchi.

Question 9

Which lung cancer is most aggressive?

Answer 9

SCLC