Surgical Management of Lung Cancer Flashcards
RECAP- what does T refer to in the TNC classification for tumours?
Size of tumour
Anatomical position of tumour
How big would a tumour be to be considered T1?
<3cm
How big would a tumour be to be considered T2?
<5cm
How big would a tumour be to be considered T3?
> 5cm
What does a T4 classification mean?
Tumour is attached to vital structures like the trachea and superior vena cava.
RECAP- what does N refer to in the TNM classification for tumours?
Whether or not lymph nodes are involved with the tumour.
In lung cancer, what type of lymph node are we dealing with?
Hilar lymph nodes
Mediastinal lymph nodes
In the TNM classification, the higher the number after the N…?
The higher the number of lymph node affected by the tumour.
Lymph node involvement in lung cancer can lead to which nerve complications?
Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy
Phrenic nerve palsy.
RECAP- what does M in the TNM classification of tumours refer to?
Distant metastasis.
Name some common metastases of lung cancer tumours.
The brain, the bones, the liver, the adrenals, other parts of the lungs
Name some symptoms in a history taking which may suggest lung cancer.
Pain, esp. bony pain.
Headaches or neurological symptoms including personality change. Haematuria*.
*blood in urine
List some of the things that might be seen in the examination of someone with lung cancer.
Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy
Brachial plexus palsy
SVCO, supraclavicular LN
Soft tissue nodules
Chest wall masses.
Pleural/pericardial effusion.
Hepatomegaly*.
*enlarged liver
What might you see in a chest x-ray of someone with lung cancer?
Pleural effusion
Chest wall invasion
Phrenic nerve palsy
Collapsed lobe or lung
What feature in a chest x-ray would make a surgeon come to the decision that a patient is unoperable?
Pleural effusion- surgery will not get rid of disease
Phrenic nerve palsy- extensive invasion of mediastinum so inoperable.
