Lung epidemiology and aetiology

Question 1

What is the prognosis for lung cancer patients?

Answer 1

• 80% dead within a year of diagnosis
• Late presentation, can be difficult to treat
• 40% of cases are diagnosed in A&E
• 10 year survival, 5%

Question 2

What can be noted in terms of gender for presentation for lung cancer?

Answer 2

• Decreasing incidence in men
• Increasing incidence in women
• Women are more susceptible to develop lung cancer than men

Question 3

What are the risk factors for lung cancer?

Answer 3

• 72% are linked to smoking tobacco
• 13% linked to workplace exposure
• 8% are linked to air pollution
• ionising radiation

Question 4

What is the typical presentation of lung cancers?

Answer 4

• Cough
• Dyspnoea
• Haemoptysis
• Recurrent infections
• Chest pain
• Pain
• Weight loss
• Fatigue