Lung cancer Flashcards
What are the main types of non-small cell lung cancer?
squamous cell carcinoma
adenocarcinoma
Describe small cell lung cancer
Small cell lung cancer cells contain neurosecretory granules that can release neuroendocrine hormones. Responsible for multiple paraneoplastic syndromes
What are the signs and symptoms of lung cancer?
Shortness of breath cough haemoptysis finger clubbing recurrent pneumonia weight loss lymphadenopathy
What are the main investigations for lung cancer?
Chest Xray Staging CT scan PET=CT Bronchoscopy with EBUS Histological diagnosis
What are the findings on an X-ray which may suggest lung cancer?
Hilar enlargement
Peripheral opacity
Pleural effusion (usually unilateral)
Collapse
Describe recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in lung cancer
presents with a hoarse voice
Cancer presses on nerve as it passes through the mediastinum
Describe phrenic nerve palsy in lung cancer
Due to nerve compression
causes diaphragm weakness and presents as shortness of breath
Describe superior vena cava obstruction in lung cancer
caused by direct compression of the tumour
presents with facial swelling, difficulty breathing and distended veins in the neck and upper chest
Describe Pemberton’s sign
Vena cava obstruction
where raising the hands over the head causes facial congestion and cyanosis. Medical emergency
Describe Horner’s syndrome
A triad of partial ptosis, anhidrosis ans moisis
Caused by a pancoast tumour pressing on the sympathetic ganglion
Describe SIADH in lung cancer
Caused by ectopic ADH secretion by small cell lung cancer and presents with hyponatraemia
Describe Cushing’s syndrome in lung cancer
Can be caused by ectopic ACTH secretion by a small cell lung cancer
Descrive hypercalcaemia in lung cancer
caused by ectopic ACTH secretion by squamous cell lung cancer
Describe limbic encephalitis in lung cancer
Paraneoplastic syndrome were the small cell lung cancer causes the immune system to make antibodies to tissue in the brain, specifically in the limbic system causing inflammation
Causes short term memory impairment, hallucinations, confusion and seizures
Associated with anti-Hu antibodies
Describe what causes Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic syndrome
A result of antibodies produced by the immune system against small cell lung cancer cells. These antibodies also target and damage voltage-gated calcium channels sited of the presynaptic terminals in motor neurones