Lung Cancer & Sleep Apnoea

Question 1

what are the main causes of lung cancer?

Answer 1

• radon
• genetics
• workplace chemicals
• radiation therapy
• air pollution
• other lung disease

Question 2

do lung tumours tend to be malignant or benign?

Answer 2

almost ALL are malignant

Question 3

what are the 2 main groups of lung cancers?

Answer 3

• small cell

- non-small cell

Question 4

what % of lung tumours do small cell make up?

Answer 4

25%

Question 5

what % of lung tumours are non-small cell?

Answer 5

75%

Question 6

what type of tumours fall under the “non-small cell” tumour category?

Answer 6

• squamous cell carcinoma (40%)
• large cell (20%)
• adenocarcinoma (15%)

Question 7

what is the MAIN cause of lung cancers?

Answer 7

smoking!

Question 8

what are the main signs and symptoms of a lung tumour?

Answer 8

• persistent cough
• haemoptysis
• pneumonia
• metastasis (bone, liver, brain)

Question 9

what are some other signs and symptoms of lung tumours?

Answer 9

• dysphagia
• superior vena cava obstruction
• persistent hoarseness

Question 10

what is haemoptysis?

Answer 10

blood stained sputum

Question 11

what is dysphagia?

Answer 11

difficulty swallowing

Question 12

why can a lung tumour cause dysphagia?

Answer 12

a central tumour around the bronchus may press on the oesophagus

Question 13

when do signs and symptoms of a lung tumour tend to show?

Answer 13

not until late in the disease, metastasis tends to occur before symptoms are detectable

Question 14

describe stage one lung cancer:

Answer 14

a solitary lesion

Question 15

describe stage two longer cancer:

Answer 15

multiple lesions only on one side of the thorax (one lung)

Question 16

describe stage three lung cancer:

Answer 16

lesions on both sides of the thorax (both lungs)

Question 17

describe stage four lung cancer:

Answer 17

metastatic lesions throughout lungs and fluid/pneumonia at presentation

Question 18

what is sleep apnoea?

Answer 18

airway obstruction whilst asleep (10 secs or more duration)

Question 19

what is common in people with sleep apnoea?

Answer 19

drowsiness throughout the day

Question 20

what can sleep apnoea make increase your risk of?

Answer 20

having a myocardial infarction

Question 21

what are the types of sleep apnoea?

Answer 21

• obstructive sleep apnoea

- central sleep apnoea

Question 22

what is the most common type of sleep apnoea?

Answer 22

obstructive sleep apnoea

Question 23

what are the treatment options for OSA?

Answer 23

• mandibular advancement appliance
• continuous positive airway pressure
• positional therapy