Lung Cancer & Sleep Apnoea Flashcards
what are the main causes of lung cancer?
- radon
- genetics
- workplace chemicals
- radiation therapy
- air pollution
- other lung disease
do lung tumours tend to be malignant or benign?
almost ALL are malignant
what are the 2 main groups of lung cancers?
- small cell
- non-small cell
what % of lung tumours do small cell make up?
25%
what % of lung tumours are non-small cell?
75%
what type of tumours fall under the “non-small cell” tumour category?
- squamous cell carcinoma (40%)
- large cell (20%)
- adenocarcinoma (15%)
what is the MAIN cause of lung cancers?
smoking!
what are the main signs and symptoms of a lung tumour?
- persistent cough
- haemoptysis
- pneumonia
- metastasis (bone, liver, brain)
what are some other signs and symptoms of lung tumours?
- dysphagia
- superior vena cava obstruction
- persistent hoarseness
what is haemoptysis?
blood stained sputum
what is dysphagia?
difficulty swallowing
why can a lung tumour cause dysphagia?
a central tumour around the bronchus may press on the oesophagus
when do signs and symptoms of a lung tumour tend to show?
not until late in the disease, metastasis tends to occur before symptoms are detectable
describe stage one lung cancer:
a solitary lesion
describe stage two longer cancer:
multiple lesions only on one side of the thorax (one lung)
