Lung Cancer Flashcards
Is lung cancer the leading cancer diagnosis in the US?
nope - its the leading cause of DEATH though
What is the main cause of lung cancer?
smoking
Other than smoking, what are 3 important exposures that can lead to lung cancer?
radiation therapy
asbestos
radon (environmental substances)
What are some symptoms of early stage lung cancer?
most are asymptomatic, but hemoptysis, dyspnea, cough and chest pain might occur
What are 2 forms of central lung cancer?
squamous cell carcinoma and small cell lung cancer
what are 2 types of peripheral lung tumors?
adenocarcinoma and large cell lung cancer
which type of lung cancer (central or peripheral) are associated with smoking?
central (squamous cell and small cell)
Facial plethora, dilated collateral veins on the chest, extremity edema and headaches are all possible signs of what process?
SVC syndrome in lung cancer: mass compression of venous return through SVC
What is a pancoast tumor?
a lung cancer tumor that is apical in location and impinges on the nerves
Shoulder pain, brachial plexus compression, and horner’s syndrome are all part of what kind of tumor presentation?
pancoast tumor
constricted pupils, drooping of the upper eyelid and abscence of sweating in the face are all due to compression of what structure? what is the name for this syndrome?
sympathetic ganglia impingement by pancoast tumors
horner’s syndrome
What is the most common form of lung cancer, broadly?
non small cell lung cancer
what is required to make a diagnosis of lung cancer?
tissue sampling
How should biopsy sites be chosen in working up suspected lung cancer?
the most distal site should be sampled
On histology, which kind of lung cancer shows glandular structures? Who tends to have this kind of cancer?
adenocarcinoma
a non small cell cancer seen in smokers AND non smokers
Keratin pearls are diagnostic of what kind of cancer on histology? who is commonly affected?
squamous cell non small cell lung cancer
tends to be central
Which type of lung cancer has a very poor prognosis?
small cell lung caner
What is diagnostic for small cell lung cancer on histology?
small densely packed blue cells, a neuroendocrine tumor
A small cell lung cancer confined to a single hemothorax would be classified as what kind of cancer? how would you treat?
LIMITED STAGE
treated with chemo and radiation
A small cell lung cancer which is outside of the chest wall or beyond one hemithorax would fall under which classification? how would it be treated?
extensive
not curable, only managed via chemo and immunotherapy
What causes mesotheliomas, of which lung pleura is most common?
asbestos exposure
What cell types make up non small cell lung cancer?
adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinomas
Paraneoplastic syndromes are most often associated with what kind of lung cancer?
small cell lung cancer
What is the most common kind of lung cancer seen in never smokers?
adenocarcinoma
