Lung Cancer Flashcards
What type of tumour is one likely to be if it is a central (tubal) lung tumour?
Squamous cell
What type of tumour is one likely to be if it is a peripheral lung tumour?
Adenocarcinoma
Histologically what might inform you that a tumour is a squamous cell tumour?
If there are clear borders between the cells
Histologically what might inform you that a tumour is an adenocarcinoma?
It will likely try to disguise itself as glandular tissue
Histologically what might inform you that a tumour is a small cell tumour?
Cells will be virtually all nucleus with little cytoplasm and nuclear moulding
What are 3 possible signs of a Pancoast tumour?
Ptosis
Shoulder pain (due to rib destruction)
Atrophy in hand and arm (C8, T1 distribution)
If you see a whiteout on one side of a radiograph what is that likely to mean?
A collapsed lung
With a collapsed lung is the trachea often pulled towards or pushed away from the affected side?
Pulled towards
In a tension pneumothorax is the trachea often pulled towards or pushed away from the affected side?
Pushed away
with pleural effusion is the trachea often pulled towards or pushed away from the affected side?
Pushed away
What types of cancer commonly metastasise to lung in men in particular and why?
Abdominal cancers and testicular cancers as they drain to para-aortic lymph nodes and into the cisterna chyli through the oesophageal hiatus.
Where do small cell carcinomas commonly metastasize to?
Adrenals and liver
If a consequence of lung cancer is hypercalcaemia what type of tumour is it most likely ot be?
Squamous cell
Name 3 broad types of complication caused by lung cancers
Hormonal (hyercalcaemia (PTH-like), hyponatraemia)
Neuromuscular (Lambert-Eaton Myasthenia Syndrome)
Hypertrophic pulmonary arthropathies (hands, wrists, knees)
A man with suspected lung cancer (mass found on CXR and correlating signs and sympts) walks with a wide gait, struggles to get out of chairs and has difficulty walking for long periods of time. What is the likely tumour type and why?
Small Cell Lung Cancer - often presents with Lambert-Eaton Syndrome (L-E S often presents before the cancer does) which causes proximal muscle weakness among other muscle weaknesses
What is the most common form of treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)?
Palliative - rarely curable
If a patient being treated with radiotherapy for a central lung tumour c/o a sensation of swallowing razor blades what is likely to have occurred?
Rupture of the oesophagus
List some side effects of Erlotinib (antineoplastic drug - chemo) - similar to many over chemo drugs
Acneform rash; Chronic itchy dry skin; Conjunctivitis; Diarrhoea; Fatigue; Pneumonitis; Bowel perforation
All affect growth of blood vessel so reduce healing ability
Where are the most likely sites of spread from lung cancers?
Liver; Brain; Bones; Adrenal glands; Skin (mets via blood - haematogenous)
What are the likely signs in a patient with SVC obstruction?
Swelling in face, neck and arms; headache (worse on bending); dilated veins
