Lung cancer

Question 1

describe the respiratory symptoms of lung cancer

Answer 1

cough, progressive SOB, recurrent pneumonia, haemoptysis, wheeze, hoarse voice

Question 2

describe the non-respiratory symptoms of lung cancer

Answer 2

chest pain, fatigue, weight loss

Question 3

describe the signs of lung cancer

Answer 3

finger clubbing, weight loss, lymphadenopathy

Question 4

describe some signs of metastases of lung cancer

Answer 4

bone pain, hepatomegaly, confusion, seizures

Question 5

what are the frequent metastases sites of lung cancer

Answer 5

Brain, Liver, Adrenal glands, Bone

BLAB

Question 6

what are the different types of lung cancer broadly divided into

Answer 6

small-cell carcinoma

non-small cell carcinoma

Question 7

what are the different types of non-small cell carcinoma

Answer 7

squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma

Question 8

describe some features of squamous cell carcinoma

Answer 8

local spread common(eg.. pleura or oesophagus), metastasise very late, most common in smokers

Question 9

describe some features of adenocarcinoma

Answer 9

often cause peripheral lesions on CXR/CT, most common in non-smokers and overall, metastases common

Question 10

describe some features of large cell carcinoma

Answer 10

least common, early metastases, often poorly differentiated

Question 11

describe some features of small cell carcinoma

Answer 11

very aggressive with early metastases, strong association with smoking, can cause Cushing’s syndrome

Question 12

describe what may be seen on a CXR in lung cancer

Answer 12

mass lesion, pleural effusion, pneumonia, lobar collapse, cavitation

Question 13

describe what a CT scan would be used for in lung cancer

Answer 13

chest = if CXR unable to make diagnosis
liver/adrenal = check for metastases

Question 14

what other investigations can be done other than CXR or CT

Answer 14

bronchoscopy and biopsy, PET