Treatment for Lung cancer

Question 1

What type of lung cancer is not suitable for surgery but responsive to chemo?

Answer 1

Small cell

Question 2

Which characteristic of SCLC makes it susceptible to chemo?

Answer 2

Rapid growth

Question 3

Two main non small cell lung cancer? Major treatments for them?

Answer 3

Squamous and adeno

1. Surgery- if it hasnt spread beyond primary site
2. Radical radiotherapy

Less responsive to chemo

Question 4

What are the two things to check for to allow a patient to have surgery?

Answer 4

1. Local invasion
2. Metastasis

Evidence of either rules out surgery.

Question 5

What is this specific surgical procedure known as?

Answer 5

Pneumonectomy

Lobectomy- taking out a lobe of the lung

Question 6

What investigations are undertaken before chemo?

Answer 6

Bronchoscopy/ biopsy= determine tissue sample

Performance status= determines patients fitness to cope with chemo

Question 7

What are some common side effects of chemo?

Answer 7

Hair loss, vomiting, tiredness, pulmonary fibrosis