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