Lung cancer

Question 1

how common is lung cancer?

Answer 1

most common cancer and most common cause of cancer deaths

Question 2

what are the 2 main types of primary lung cancer?

Answer 2

small cell lung cancer

non-small cell lung cancer

Question 3

what are the 3 main subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer?

Answer 3

adenocarcinoma
squamous cell carcinoma
large cell carcinoma

Question 4

what is the most common type of lung cancer?

Answer 4

non small cell adenocarcinoma

Question 5

what are most cases of adenocarcinomas associated with?

Answer 5

smoking

Question 6

what are the risk factors for lung cancer?

Answer 6

• smoking
• asbestos
• previous radiotherapy to chest
• genetic predisposition

Question 7

what are the specific symptoms of primary lung cancer?

Answer 7

• cough
• dyspnoea
• wheezing
• haemoptysis
• chest pain
• post-obstructive pneumonia

Question 8

what imaging is done if lung cancer is suspected?

Answer 8

x-ray

Question 9

what paraneoplastic syndromes may occur with small cell lung cancer?

Answer 9

ACTH production - Cushing’s

ADH production - hyponatraemia

Question 10

what paraneoplastic syndrome may occur with non-small cell squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 10

PTHrP production - parathyroid hormone - hypercalcaemia

Question 11

where does lung cancer commonly metastasise to?

Answer 11

brain
liver
adrenal glands
bone

Question 12

what is a Pancoast tumour?

Answer 12

tumour at the pulmonary apex of the lung (top of the lung)

Question 13

what complications may arise from a pancoast tumour?

Answer 13

pressure to nerves

e.g. face sympathetic supply - Horner’s syndrome - drooping eyelid, constricted pupil, loss of sweating