Pathology of lung cancer

Question 1

what are the following :

a) hamartoma
b) benign tumor
c) malignant tumor

Answer 1

a) A hamartoma is a noncancerous tumor made of an abnormal mixture of normal tissues and cells from the area in which it grows
b) benign tumor =tumor that lacks the ability to either invade neighboring tissue or metastasize , when you remove it , it won’t grow back
c) malignant tumor = tumor that metastasises and spreads, when you remove it , it will grow back

Question 2

list causes of primary bronchogenic carcinoma and subtypes

Answer 2

• primary lung tumors benign: pulmonary haemartoma
• primary lung tumor malignant ( pulmonary carcinoma , bronchogenic carcinoma , malignant mesothelioma ,malignant lymphoma)

Question 3

what are the 4 main types of carcinoma and their histology

8

Answer 3

• Small cell carcinoma= most aggressive type prone to metastases and show pink areas of necrosis )
• Adenocarcinoma= starts in mucous producing glands of the body , you can see the glandular spaces
• Squamous Carcinoma = Well-differentiated SCC has pale and glassy cytoplasm and more squamous eddies or keratin pearl

-large cell carcinoma = dot like with solid growth pattern

Question 4

outline cancer staging

3

Answer 4

• Tumor size ( T1-4)
• lymph Nodes ( NX,O,1-3)
• Metastases = M1A-M1C

Question 5

explain causes and pathophysiology of malignant mesothelioma

2

Answer 5

cause e: asbestos
features :
- ca2+ plaques
-shipyards , plumbers and electricians are prone to it

Question 6

how can metastases occur ?

3

Answer 6

1- haemoatgenous = through blood
2-lymphatics
3-body cavities

Question 7

what are the complications of lung cancer

name 5

Answer 7

1-can block bronchus = collapsed lung = invades surrounding vessels= haemoatogenous tumor
2-infection from collapsed lung
3-superior VC = compressed due to pancoast tumor = elevated JVP
4-phrenic nerve compressed = elevaten of hemidiaphragm
5-malignant pericardial effusion = atrial fibrillation and arrhythmias
6-invasion of the carina ,oesophagus , vertebrae etc

Question 8

syndromes not explained but the local effect go metastases ?
there are 4 MAIN
(4)
CHES

Answer 8

due to small cell carcinoma
1-Eaton-lambert syndrome = muscles unable to contract properly = muscle weakness

2-Cushings syndrome =high levels of cortisol= fatigue , slow healing of cuts etc general symptoms

3-Hypertorphic osteopathy = finger clubbing

4-Sydrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH)
–>leads to too much sodium