Lung Cancer Flashcards
Histologically, what are the two main types of lung cancer?
Small-cell lung cancer
Non-small cell
What are the different non-small-cell lung cancers?
Andenocarcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Large cell carcinoma
What do small cell lung cancer contain? What does this mean?
Neuro secretory granules. They release neuro endocrine hormones. May be responsible for paraneoplastic syndromes.
What lung cancer does asbestos cause?
Mesothelioma
Where does mesotheliomas affect?
Mesothelial cells of the pleura
What is the presentation of lung cancer?
SOB
Cough
Haemoptysis
Finger clubbing
Recurrent pneumonia
Weight loss
Lymphadenopathy
Extra-pulmonary manifestations of lung cancer?
Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy
Phrenic nerve palsy
SVC obstruction
Horner’s syndrome
Syndrome of inappropriate ADH
Cushing’s syndrome
Hypercalcaemia
Limbic encephalitis
Lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome
What is the referral criteria for lung cancer?
X-ray within 2 week to over 40s with:
- clubbing
-lymphadenopathy
-recurrent persistent chest infections
- increased platelet count
- chest signs of lung cancer
What are the signs that are cause for an automatic urgent chest x-ray?
Finger clubbing
Lymphadenopathy
What are the investigations for lung cancer?
Chest x-ray
Staging CT scan
PET-CT
Bronchoscopy
Histological diagnosis
What can you see on chest x-ray in lung cancer?
Hilar enlargement
Peripheral opacity
Pleural effusion
Collapse
What does a staging CT show?
Assess stage
Lymph node involvement
Presence of metastasis
What is the first line treatment of lung cancer?
Surgery
What are other treatments for lung cancer?
Radiotherapy
- can be curative if diagnosed early
Chemotherapy
-in addition to surgery or chemotherapy
- also palliative
Endo bronchial treatment with stents and debunking
What is the treatment for small cell lung cancer?
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
