Lung Cancer Flashcards
What is the main distinction in lung cancers?
Non-small cell (80%)
Small cell
Three types of non-small cell lung cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
Large cell carcinoma
What is the most common type of lung cancer encountered in never smokers?
Adenocarcinoma
What are small cell carcinomas derived from? What is the consequence of this?
Neuro-endocrine (APUD) cells. Wide range of paraneoplastic syndromes
Symptoms/signs of lung cancer? (6)
Cough Shortness of breath Haemoptysis Weight/appetite loss Cervical lymphadenopathy Finger clubbing
Which cancers commonly metastasize to lung? (6)
Kidney Prostate Breast Bone Bowel Renal
Possible chest X ray findings in lung ca? (5)
Circular opacification ("coin lesion")
Hilar enlargement
Consolidation
Pleural effusion
Bony secondariesStaging investigation for lung ca?
Contrast-enhanced CT chest
How is histological diagnosis obtained in lung cancer?
Bronchoscopy
Which investigation should all potentially curable patients receive before treatment?
PET-CT- to detect metastases
Staging system used for non small cell lung cancer?
TNM (corresponding to stages I-IV)
Why does small-cell lung cancer have a bad prognosis?
Rapidly growing and highly malignant; spread early (almost always inoperable at diagnosis)
Respond to chemo but remission is short-lived
Management options for non-small cell lung cancer?
Stage I-II- lobectomy
Radiotherapy (curative or palliative)
Chemotherapy (poor response)
Management options for small cell?
Mainly multi-agent chemo and radiotherapy; most cases not resectable
Local complications of lung cancer? (6)
Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy Horner syndrome Pancoast syndrome SVC obstruction Pericarditis Pleural effusion
