Lung cancer characteristics

Question 1

Epidemiology

Answer 1

Leading cause of cancer death

Question 2

Presentation

Answer 2

Cough, hemoptysis, bronchial obstruction, wheezing, pneumonic ‘coin’ lesion on x ray film or noncalcified nodule on CT.

Question 3

Most common cause

Answer 3

Metastatic cancer;

Breast, colon, prostate, and bladder cancer

Question 4

Sites of metastases

Answer 4

Adrenals, brain, bone (pathologic fracture), liver (jaundice, hepatomegaly).

Question 5

Complications

Answer 5

SPHERE:
Superior vena cava syndrome
Pancoast tumor
Horner's syndrome
Endocrine (paraneoplastic)
Recurrent laryngeal symptoms (hoarseness)
Effusions (pleural or pericardial)

Question 6

Association with smoking

Answer 6

All types except BRonchioloalveolar and BRonchial carcinoid are associated with smoking.