Lung Cancer Flashcards
Where does almost all lung CA arise?
In the epithelial tissue of the airways and alveoli (95%)
T or F:
Lung CA can be either primary or secondary
T
Where is lung CA likely to metastasize to?
- Bone
- Liver
- Brain
What are 5 primary types of lung CA?
- Small cell carcinoma (12%) → SCLC (small cell lung cancer)
- Large cell carcinoma (12%) → NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer)
- Squamous cell carcinoma (27%) → NSCLC
- Adenocarcinoma (30%) → NSCLC
- Mixed group (5%) (Ex. Neuroendocrine cancers, lymphoma)
What are 3 possible causes for lung CA?
- Mostly smoking (>85%)
- Toxins (ex. Asbestos)
- Marijuana?
Overview of Small (oat) cell carcinoma (size of oat grains)
- 99% in smokers, worst form
- Small, oval cells, non resectable
- Aggressive, invasive, early metastasis (especially to the brain)
- Metastasis already occurred at diagnosis (70%)
- Paraneoplastic syndromes (aka ectopic tumor) (ex. tumor releasing ACTH causing Cushings; tumor
releasing ADH)
What is the most common form of lung CA?
Adenocarcinoma
Who is typically affected by adenocarcinomas?
- Women
- Non-smokers
Where does an adenocarcinoma originate?
In the bronchioles and alveoli (peripheral)
T or F:
Squamous cell carcinoma is more common in women.
F, men
Where does squamous cell carcinoma originate?
Has a central origin in the trachea and bronchi
For this CA to arise, it must arise in ________ cells.
Existing
Arises in the intraluminal cells
What other body structure is affected by squamous cell carcinoma? Why?
The mediastinum due to its location
What/where are the hilar nodes and how does this relate to squamous cell carcinoma?
- Hilar = where the bronchi enter the lungs
- Lymph nodes are located in the hilar node region which will contribute to metastasis
Overview of large cell carcinoma:
3
- Large, undifferentiated cells
- Originates in periphery
- Early metastasis → poor prognosis
What is hemoptysis and why does this occur in lung CA?
Coughing up blood due to hemorrhaging of vessels
If central tumor will obstruct the airway and cause irritation, what mnfts of this would you expect to see?
- Coughing, wheezing, dyspnea
- Cardiac manifestations (ex. Cardiac tamponade)
What are the Dx for lung CA?
- Hx, Px
- Imaging
- Bronchoscopy, needle aspiration (biopsy sample)
- Cytology (sputum/bronchial wash)
What is the Tx of lung CA?
- SCLC: chemo, radiation
- NSCLC: surgery, radiation, chemo