Lung Cancer

Question 1

What are some aetiological factors in lung cancer?

Answer 1

Tobacco smoking

Asbestos

Uranium (industrial exposure)

Ionising radiation

Air pollution

Genetics

(bold plus two others to pass)

Question 2

What are the most common presenting symptoms of lung cancer?

Answer 2

Cough (75%), Weight loss (40%), Chest pain (40%), Dyspnoea (20%), Haemoptysis

(3 to pass)

Question 3

What are the clinical effects of local lung tumour spread?

Answer 3

Airway obstruction

Compression of SVC

Hoarse voice (recurrent laryngeal compression)

Horner syndrome (sympathetic ganglion)

Dysphagia (oesophageal compression)

Pleural effusion

Pericarditis / tamponade

Diaphragmatic paralysis (phrenic nerve)

(5 of these 8 to pass)

Question 4

What paraneoplastic syndromes are associated with lung cancer?

Answer 4

Cushing’s (ACTH secretion)

Hyponatraemia (SIADH)

Hypercalcaemia (Hyper-PTH)