Pathology Flashcards
What can cause airway narrowing/obstruction?
muscle spasm
mucosal oedema
collapse due to loss of support
localised obstruction e.g. tumour
What 3 types of lung neoplasms are there?
- benign (rare)
- malignant (common)
- metastatic (very common)
When cancer spreads from the lungs , where does it tend to go?
lymph nodes
liver
bones
brain?
What are the 4 common types of lung tumours?
- adenocarcinoma
- squamous carcinoma
- small cell carcinoma
- large cell carcinoma
Which lung tumour type is the worst and why?
small cell because is spreads quickly and early
Where in the body can you find squamous epithelia?
oesophagus
skin
anus
vagina/vulva
Name some general features of cancer?
malignant growth
uncontrolled replication
local invasion
metastasis
What red flags are there that could possibly mean cancer?
haemoptysis
recurrent pneumonia
stridor
weight loss
What is pleural effusion?
collection of fluid around the lung
If you find these on examination, what might the patient have? finger clubbing bloated face tracheal deviation dull percussion stridor enlarged liver
lung cancer
If you thought it was lung cancer what investigations would you ask for?
full blood count chest x ray CT scan PET scan bronchoscopy spirometry
What is the treatment for lung cancer?
surgery radiotherapy chemotherapy supportive care stent insertion for stridor
Where does bronchopneumonia start and spread to?
starts in airways and spreads to alveolar lung
What organisms could cause bronchopneumonia?
strep.pneumoniae
haemophilus influenza
What does the treatment of lung cancer depend on?
- cell type
- extent of disease
- co-morbidity
- PATIENTS WISHES
What is bronchiectasis normally due to?
fibrous scarring following infection
What organisms cause tuberculosis?
mycobacteria- M.tuberculosis, M.bovis
What is primary TB?
first exposure-inhaled organism is phagocytosed and carried to hilar lymph nodes. this activates an immune response and leads to formations of granuloma
tends to spread
What cell cause the granulomatous inflammation in TB?
T cells
Why does disease reactivate?
age
decreased T cell function
immunosuppressive therapy
What is secondary TB?
latent disease
tends to remain localised (usually in apex of lung)
fibrosing and cavitation is common
What is pulmonary interstitium?
alevolar lining cells
thin elastin-rich connective tissue containing capillary blood vessels
What is fibrosing alveolitis?
progressive interstitial fibrosis of unknown cause
variable inflammation
finger clubbing usually present
What is sarcoidosis?
multisystem granulomatous disorder
RED PATCHES ON LEGS
