Lung Cancer Flashcards
What is the most common cause of cancer mortality in the US?
Lung Cancer!
What is the average age at presentation of lung cancer?
60 years
What are the three cancers with the highest incidence in the US?
- Breast/Prostate
- Lung
- Colorectal
What are three key risk factors for Lung cancer?
Smoke, radon and asbestos
How many carcinogens does cigarette smoke contain?
Over 60 carcinogens
What percentage of lung cancer occurs in smokers?
85%
What two chemicals in cigarette smoke are particularly mutagenic?
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
2. Arsenic
What does Arsenic increase risk for?
It increases risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.
What is lung cancer risk directly related to?
Duration and Amount of smoking (pack-years)
How is radon formed?
By radioactive decay of uranium
What is radon?
Colorless, odorless gas
Where is Uranium present?
In the soil
Where does Radon accumulate?
In closed spaces such as basements
What is Radon responsible for?
Most of the public exposure to ionizing radiation
What is the second most frequent cause of lung carcinoma in the US?
Radon exposure
In what population is increased risk of lung cancer also seen in?
Uranium miners
What are the presenting symptoms of lung cancer?
They are nonspecific:
- Cough
- Weight loss
- Hemoptysis
- Post-obstructive pneumonia
What does imaging often reveal in lung cancer?
Solitary nodule
What is the first step when you see a solitary nodule on CXR?
Look and compare it to a previous CXR.
What is another name for solitary nodule?
‘coin-lesion’
What is necessary for a diagnosis of cancer once you’ve seen a solitary nodule on CXR?
Biopsy is necessary for a diagnosis of cancer.
In what population do benign ‘coin-lesions’ often occur?
Younger patients
What are two benign ‘coin-lesions’ that occur in younger patients?
- Granuloma
2. Bronchial hamartoma
What often causes granulomas in the lungs?
Often due to TB or fungus (especially Histoplasma in the Midwest)
What is a Bronchial hamartoma?
A benign tumor composed of lung tissue and cartilage.
What trait does a Bronchial Hamartoma often have on imaging?
Often calcified on imaging.
What two categories are lung carcinoma often divided into?
- Small cell carcinoma
2. Non-small cell carcinoma
What percentage of lung carcinoma is small cell carcinoma?
15%
What percentage of lung carcinoma is non-small cell carcinoma?
85%
How is small cell carcinoma treated?
Chemotherapy
What usually is small cell carcinoma usually not amenable to?
Surgical resection
What is non-small cell carcinoma treated upfront with?
Surgical resection
What does non-small cell carcinoma not respond well to?
Chemotherapy
What are the four subtypes of non-small cell carcinoma?
- Adenocarcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Large cell carcinoma
- Carcinoid tumor
What percentage of lung carcinoma is Adenocarcinoma?
40%
What percentage of lung carcinoma is Squamous cell carcinoma?
30%
What percentage of lung carcinoma is Large cell carcinoma?
10%
What percentage of lung carcinoma is Carcinoid tumor?
5%
What are hamartomas made of?
They contain tissue that normally should be in this area but is disorganized.
What is the pathology behind Eaton-Lambert Syndrome?
Patients develop antibodies against presynaptic calcium channels and this leads to muscle weakness
What type of cancer is often associated with Eaton-Lambert Syndrome?
Small cell carcinoma