Lung Cancer Flashcards
1
Q
What percentage of lung cancers are thought to be due to smoking
A
80-90%
2
Q
What are the risk factors for lung cancer?
A
Smoking Passive smoking Asbestos Previous radiotherapy to the chest Family history Rarely: inhalation of radon gas, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nickel, chromate, inorganic arsenicals
3
Q
What are the different types of lung cancer?
A
Small cell
Non small cell:
- large cell carcinoma
- adenocarcinoma (often peripheral)
- squamous cell carcinoma (often in proximal segmental bronchi)
- carcinoid
Pleural cancers e.g. mesothelioma
lung cancers commonly have mixed histology
4
Q
What are the common sites of metastatic spread in lung cancer?
A
Regional lymph nodes Bone Liver Adrenals CNS Skin
5
Q
Which types of lung cancer carries the greatest risk of dissemination?
A
Small cell lung cancer
> 90% have either overt or occult mets at presentation.
6
Q
Where in the lungs to small cell lung cancers most commonly arise?
A
Large airways, derived from neuroendocrine cells.
can rarely present as a small peripheral nodule
7
Q
What symptoms may lung cancer present with?
A
Persistent cough Haemoptysis Dyspnoea Recurrent chest infections Chest pain (constant, progressive) Hoarse voice (vocal cord palsy) Fatigue Weight loss Symptoms from metastatic disease
8
Q
What signs may lung cancer present with?
A
Pleural effusion Wheeze, stridor SVC obstruction Horner's syndrome, arm or hand pain/weakness (apical cancer) Paraneoplastic syndromes
