Lung Cancer & Sleep Apnoea Flashcards

1
Q

On an x-ray, if there is a visible mass, where would you assume the mass is located?

A

Peripherally

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2
Q

What is the biggest cause of lung cancer?

A

Smoking

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3
Q

Name 6 other causes of lung cancer

A
  1. Radon gas
  2. Chemicals within workplace
  3. Wood stoves
  4. Genetics
  5. Radiation therapy
  6. People with COPD and pulmonary fibrosis
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4
Q

What are the two main groups of lung tumours?

A
  1. Small cell tumours
  2. Non-small cell tumours
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5
Q

which group of lung tumours is more common?

A

Non-small cell tumours

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6
Q

what are the three most common non-small cell tumours that arise in the lungs?

A
  1. Squamous cell carcinoma
  2. Large cell carcinoma
  3. Adenocarcinoma
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7
Q

What are the 4 main signs and symptoms of lung tumours?

A
  1. Cough
  2. Haemoptysis (blood stained sputum)
  3. Pneumonia
  4. Metastasis
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8
Q

Name the 3 less common, but still significant symptoms/signs of lung tumours

A
  1. Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties)
  2. Superior vena cava obstruction
  3. Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy
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9
Q

How does superior vena cava obstruction occur?

A

Because of compression from a tumour in the mediastinum which will prevent blood from returning to the right side of he heart. This leads to distension of the veins and swelling in the head and neck region

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10
Q

What characterises recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy?

A

Unexplained hoarseness

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11
Q

Describe a stage 1 lung tumour

A

Solitary lesion

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12
Q

describe a stage 2 lung tumour

A

Multiple lesions but only on one side of the thorax

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13
Q

describe a stage 3 lung tumour

A

Lesions on both sides of thorax

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14
Q

describe a stage 4 lung tumour

A

Metastatic lesions throughout the lung and also symptoms of oedema, fluid or pneumonia.

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15
Q

what stage will most patients with lung cancer be diagnosed?

A

Stage 3 or 4

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16
Q

what is the standard treatment for non-small cell lung tumour?

A

Chemo-radiotherapy

17
Q

What type of analysis allows physicians to classify patients by their probable disease risk, prognosis and/or response to treatment?

A

Biomarkers

18
Q

What is sleep apnoea?

A

Airway obstruction whilst asleep, lasting 10 seconds or more

19
Q

What happens to the airway muscle during sleep apnoea and what is the consequence?

A

Airway muscle tone drops and this allows the tongue to fall back and block the airway by occluding it against the back of the pharynx

20
Q

Hypoxia is caused by sleep apnoea, what risks increase due to hypoxia?

A

Risk of acute cardiac event such as MI

21
Q

what are the two ways to measure if someone has sleep apnoea?

A
  1. Epworth sleepiness scale
  2. Apnoea hypopnea index
22
Q

What does the apnoea hypopnea index measure?

A

How many events of airway obstruction occur per hour

23
Q

What are the two mechanical treatments for obstructive sleep apnoea?

A
  1. Mandibular advancement appliance
  2. CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure)
24
Q

How does the mandibular advancement appliance function?

A

It pulls the lower jaw forward, so the tongue moves with it to open up the airway

25
Q

Why do some patients find the mandibular advancement appliance intolerable?

A

Because it puts considerable pressure onto the gingivae in the upper anterior and lower lingual regions, so some patients find this very uncomfortable

26
Q

What are mandibular advancement appliances?

A

Essentially two vacuum formed splints

27
Q

How does CPAP function to improve sleep apnoea?

A

Patient wears a mask, which keeps a certain amount of pressure within the airways at all times. This pressure blows apart the tongue and pharynx, keeping the airway patent and allowing the patient to breathe

28
Q

What sleeping position encourages sleep apnoea?

A

Sleeping on your back