Lung cancer Flashcards
What percentage of patients diagnosed with lung cancer survive 5 years or longer?
10%
Does small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer hold a better prognosis?
Non-small cell lung cancer (this accounts for ~85% of lung cancers).
Where do tumours of the lung tend to arise?
Large or medium sized bronchi, rarely the lung parenchyma itself.
Squamous cell carcinomas tend to be found where?
Centrally, close to the bronchi
Which risk factor is closely linked to squamous cell carcinomas of the lung?
Cigarette smoking
Where do adenocarcinomas tend to arise in the lung?
Peripherally
Which patient groups more often get adenocarcinomas?
Women, non-smokers, previous asbestos exposure
Which type of lung cancer is most commonly associated with clubbing?
Squamous cell carcinoma
What staging system is used in lung cancer and what stages exist?
TNM.
Stage 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4
How does SCLC tend to be managed?
With palliative chemotherapy. SCLC is very chemo-sensitive but relapse rates are high.
Radical radiotherapy may be indicated if disease is at very limited stage. SCLC is also very radiosensitive
When might surgery be indicated for lung cancer?
Stage 1 and 2 NSCLC holds a ~80% 5-year survival rate. However, mediastinal involvement is a contraindication for most surgeons.
What is the mainstay of treatment for patients with NSCLC?
Chemotherapy (combination). Concurrent radiotherapy (rather than sequential) may be indicated for some patients. There may be a role for targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
What type of bone mets tend to be seen on X-ray in lung cancer that has metastasised to bone?
Lytic mets
What is a Pancoast tumour and what symptoms can it cause?
An apical mass of the lung. Can cause Horner’s syndrome symptoms (ptosis, miosis, anhidriosis) and pain in the arm, weakness of small muscles of the hand
