Lung Cancer

Question 0

What are common clinical features of bronchial carcinoma?

Answer 0

Age 50-70
Local symptoms: cough, chest pain, wheezing, haemoptysis, dyspnoea
General symptoms: anorexia, malaise, unexplained weight loss
Unresolved chest infection
Hoarseness
Symptoms from metastases

Question 1

What are key symptoms to make you suspect lung cancer?

Answer 1

Malaise, weight loss, cough

Question 2

What investigations should you perform of you suspect bronchial carcinoma?

Answer 2

CXR, ct, bronchoscopy, PET scan, biopsy if possible

Question 3

What are the 3 main types of bronchial carcinoma?

Answer 3

1. Small cell lung (oat cell)
2. Poorly differentiated
3. Non small cell lung cancer (squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma)

Question 4

Why is surgery not an option for small cell lung cancer?

Answer 4

It metastasis so quickly (80% at time of diagnosis)