Resp 10 - Lung cancer Flashcards
What is the 5 year survival rate of Lung cancer?
~ 15%
List some causes of lung cancer:
- Smoking
- Asbestos
- Radon exposure
- Occupational carcinogens ie Chromium/Nickel/Arsenic
- Genetic factors
What are some signs/symptoms of a primary lung cancer?
MOST COMMONLY ASYMPTOMATIC
- Cough
- Dyspnoea
- Wheezing
- Haemoptysis
- Lung infection
- Chest/Shoulder pain
- Weight loss
- Lethargy/malaise
Why may patients with lung cancer have a bloated face?
Obstruction of superior vena cava = local oedema
Why may patients with lung cancer develop a hoarse voice?
Tumour may damage the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, which innervates left vocal cord
What is the most common cause of finger clubbing?
Hypoxaemia
What conclusion can you make about someones lung cancer if they have pale conjunctiva?
Cancer has metastasised to bone
= decreased blood cell production
Describe horners’ syndrome:
- Miosis
- Partial ptosis
- Hemifacial loss of sweating
Due to interrupted sympathetic nerve supply to eye
What are the differential diagnoses of a dense consolidation ‘lump’ seen on a chest xray?
- Fat
- Infection
- Scar
- Cyst
- Tumour
What system is use to stage lung cancer?
TNM staging system
Which 2 types of lung cancers are usually caused by smoking?
1) Small cell carcinoma
2) Squamous cell carcinoma
Which lung cancer is often associated with ectopic ADH and ACTH secretion?
Small cell carcinoma
Which 2 syndromes may be caused by ectopic hormone secretions from a small cell lung cancer? What are the hormones?
1) SIADH due to ectopic ADH
2) Cushing’s syndrome due to ectopic ACTH
Which lung cancer is associated with PTHrP secretion?
What does this cause?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Hypercalcaemia
What is the most common type of lung cancer in non-smokers?
Adenocarcinoma
