Lung cancer Flashcards
1
Q
What does paraneoplastic mean?
A
- non-metastatic systemic side effects of a malignant tumour
- finger clubbing, weight loss, tiredness etc.
2
Q
What are the main causes of a bronchial carcinoma?
A
- smoking (90%)
- radon exposure
- asbestos
- genetics
3
Q
Types of lung cancers?
A
- small cell
- non-small cell:
- adenocarcinoma
- squamous cell carcinoma
- large cell carcinoma
4
Q
Symptoms of lung cancer?
A
- cough (more than 3 weeks)
- haemoptysis
- unexplained weightloss
- breathlessness
- hoarse voice (recurrent laryngeal nerve)
- stridor (inspiraton)
- recurrent pneumonia
5
Q
Regions of metastic spread?
A
- brain
- liver
- skin
- adrenal glands
- bone
6
Q
Symptoms of liver metasis
A
- nausea
- anorexia
7
Q
symptoms of brain metasis
A
- headaches
- confusion
8
Q
Pancoast tumour?
A
- apex of lungs
- muscle wasting
9
Q
SVC tumour
A
- superior vena cava
- reduced drainage from the head and neck
- swelling in face
10
Q
Oesphageal tumour
A
- dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
11
Q
Pain associated with lung cancer?
A
- invading chest wall
- sharp localised pain
12
Q
Pleural effusion?
A
- Fluid in the pleural space
- compresses lung
- breathlessness
13
Q
What drug can you give for swelling in the brain?
A
Dexamethasone
14
Q
What causes hypercalcaemia?
A
- tumour produces hormones that mimic the parathyroid hormone
- tends to be squamous cell carcinomas
15
Q
Treatment of hypercalcaemia?
A
- Rehydration
- IV bisphosphonate
