Lung Cancer

Question 1

What are the three main subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer?

Answer 1

Squamous cell carcinoma

Adenocarcinoma

Large cell lung carcinoma

Question 2

Which type of lung cancer has the strongest association with smoking?

Answer 2

Squamous cell carcinoma

Although all types of lung cancer are associated with smoking, squamous cell carcinoma has the strongest link.

Question 3

True or false: Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is typically found centrally, near the larger airways.

Answer 3

True.

Squamous cell carcinomas are more likely to be located centrally, near the larger airways.

Question 4

Where is adenocarcinoma of the lung more likely to be found: peripherally or centrally?

Answer 4

Adenocarcinoma of the lung is typically located peripherally.

Question 5

Which type of lung cancer is most common for non-smokers?

Answer 5

Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer found in non-smokers. However, the majority of patients with lung adenocarcinoma are smokers.

Question 6

Why are lung squamous cell carcinomas associated with hypercalcaemia?

Answer 6

They can secrete parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), leading to calcium resorption from the bones and reabsorption from the kidneys.

Question 7

True or false: Lung squamous cell carcinomas are not generally associated with finger clubbing.

Answer 7

False.

Lung squamous cell carcinomas are strongly associated with finger clubbing.

Question 8

What is hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA) and how does it relate to lung cancer?

Answer 8

HPOA is a syndrome featuring finger clubbing and painful swelling of the large joints.

Although quite uncommon, it is most commonly associated with non-small cell lung cancers - especially squamous cell cancer.

It is also called Bamberger–Marie syndrome or osteoarthropathia hypertrophicans.