Respiratory & Sleep Medicine\ Lung Cancer Flashcards
What is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women?
Lung cancer
What is the most prominent risk factor for developing lung cancer?
- Smoking
- secondhand smoking
Which types of lung cancer are typically located centrally?
- Small cell and squamous cell
Which lung cancer is not linked to smoking and is more common in women?
Bronchoalveolar adenocarcinoma
What is the most common symptom of lung cancer?
Chronic cough
What are some other causes of chronic cough (lasts more than 8 weeks)?
- Tobacco smoking
- chronic exposure to environmental irritants
- postnasal drip (allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis)
- medication (ACE inhibitors)
- asthma
- COPD
- gastroesophageal reflux disease
- infection (tuberculosis)
What are other signs and symptoms of lung cancer?
- Hemoptysis
- stridor
- dyspnea
- hoarseness
- dysphagia
- associated paraneoplastic syndromes
What is a Pancoast tumor?
It is a tumor of the pulmonary apex and can cause SVC syndrome and Horner syndrome
What is superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome?
A tumor obstructs venous blood flow in the SVC causing facial swelling, headaches, and dyspnea
What typically worsens the symptoms of a patient with SVC syndrome?
Lying down or sleeping
What are the three signs typical of Horner syndrome?
- Ptosis
- Miosis
- Anhidrosis
With which type of lung cancer do you more often see hypercalcemia?
Squamous cell lung cancer due to its association with parathyroid ormone-related protein (PTHrp)
With which type of lung cancer do you more often have problems with hyponatremia?
- Small cell lung cancer due to association with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
How is lung cancer diagnosed?
Through imaging with CXR and CT, but biopsy gives the definitive diagnosis
Inhalation of what type of fiber may cause mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelial lining of the lung)?
Asbestos
