lung cancer Flashcards
Name the two types of lung cancer and which is worse?
small cell lung cancer
non small lung cancer. This is worse because it is less responsive to surgery. Includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma.
symptoms at presentation of lung cancer?
cough dyspnoea haemoptysis chest pain neurological bone pain weight loss
signs of lung cancer
Cachexia (weight loss) Clubbing Superior Vena Cava obstruction Lobar or whole lung collapse Pleural Effusion Chest wall tenderness hepatomegaly
Describe the 4 stages of non small lung cancer
stage I: cancer located only in the lungs and has not spread to any lymph nodes
stage II: cancer is in the lung and nearby lymph nodes
stage IIIA: cancer is found in the lung and in the lymph nodes same side of the chest as it started
stage IIIB: cancer spread to lymph nodes on opposite side or above the collar bone
stage IV: advanced stage, cancer spread to both lungs, to fluid in area around the lungs.
Where are the most common areas lung cancer spreads to?
lung liver brain bone adrenal glands
What is malignant mesothelioma?
Tumour of the pleural lining
What are the features of malignant mesothelioma?
pleural effusion causing breathlessness
chest wall pain
rarely amenable to surgery
seeding of tumour at biopsy site
