⭐️Lung Cancer

Question 1

What is it

Answer 1

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs, leading to tumor formation and potential spread (metastasis).

Question 2

Clinical Features

Answer 2

Persistent cough
Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
Chest pain
Unintentional weight loss
Hoarseness (due to recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement)
Paraneoplastic syndromes (e.g., SIADH, hypercalcemia)

Question 3

Epidemiology

Answer 3

Most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide
More common in males but rising in females
High incidence in smokers and industrialized nations

Question 4

Age Groups Affected

Answer 4

Typically affects adults > 55 years
Rare in individuals < 40 years

Question 5

Risk Factors

Answer 5

• Smoking (leading cause, ~85% of cases)
• Secondhand smoke exposure
• Radon gas (natural radioactive gas)
• Occupational exposures (asbestos, arsenic, silica)
• Air pollution (diesel exhaust, fine particulates)
• Genetic predisposition (family history)

Question 6

Clinical Presentation

Answer 6

Local symptoms: cough, hemoptysis, dyspnea, chest pain
Systemic symptoms: weight loss, fatigue
Metastatic symptoms (brain, liver, bones, adrenal glands)
• Brain: headaches, seizures
• Liver: jaundice
• Bones: bone pain, fractures
Paraneoplastic syndromes:
• Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) → SIADH (hyponatremia), Cushing’s syndrome
• Squamous cell carcinoma → Hypercalcemia (PTHrP secretion)

Question 7

Prognosis

Answer 7

Overall poor prognosis (5-year survival ~15-20%)
Better prognosis if localized and resectable
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): better prognosis than SCLC
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): aggressive, often metastatic at diagnosis
Early detection improves survival (low-dose CT screening recommended for high-risk individuals)