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Haematology & Oncology > Lung Cancer > Flashcards

Flashcards in Lung Cancer Deck (13)
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1
Q
Which lung cancer type tends to appear in the periphery, and which as a central tumour?
A) Small Cell Lung cancer
B) Adenocarcinoma
C) Large cell carcinoma
There can be more than 1 answer.
A

Small cell lung cancer tends to be a more central tumour.

Adenocarcinoma arise from the bronchial mucosal glands and tends to occur in the periphery. Large cell carcinoma presents as a large peripheral mass on CXR.

2
Q

Fill in the blanks:
Does adenocarcinoma have an association with smoking?
Adenocarcinoma can originate in scar tissue, and carries a ___ risk of metastatic spread, often to ____ lymph nodes, and ___, producing an ____.

A

Adenocarcinoma has less association with smoking, but can originate in scar tissue and carries a high risk of metastatic spread, often to mediastinal LN and pleura, causing an effusion.

3
Q

Dysphagia is especially seen in which cancer type?
A) Adenocarcinoma
B) Large cell carcinoma
C) Small cell lung cancer

A

C. SCLC, which tends to be a more central tumour.

4
Q

Hoarse voice is a possible presenting complain. What does it suggest?

A

Hoarse voice suggests invasion of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

5
Q

Squamous cell lung cancer is more common in smokers/non-smokers?
Adenocarcinoma is more common in smokers/non-smokers?

A

Squamous cell lung cancer is more common in smokers, Adenocarcinoma is more common in non-smokers.

6
Q

What does having a shoulder pain suggest?

A

Shoulder pain suggest diaphragm involvement or from brachial plexus involvement.

7
Q

Finger clubbing is seen especially in which lung cancer type?

A

Non-SCLC - especially in squamous cell lung cancer

8
Q

Describe Pancoast syndrome

A

Pancoast tumours are aka superior sulcus tumours.
Cause chest wall pain, Horner’s syndrome (Sympathetic nerve obstruction/interruption) and pain in the T1 dermatomal distribution

Horner’s syndrome - miosis, anhydrosis, partial ptosis, enophthalmos.

9
Q

Which type of lung cancer is the most common cause of SVC obstruction?

A

SCLC

10
Q

Having skin metastases. Which stage of lung cancer is the patient in?

A

Stage IV - 4.

Metastatic spread everywhere - Stage IV
Metastatic spread to local lymph nodes - Stage III

11
Q

Complications of lung cancer

A
  1. SVC obstruction - often from SCLC
  2. Pleural effusion - often by adenocarcinoma
  3. Brain metastases
  4. Hypercalcaemia - common in squamous cell lung cancer
  5. Cushing’s disease or SIADH - common in SCLC
  6. Neurological syndromes - Eg. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
12
Q

Describe the difference between squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma in terms of spread and cancer growth rate.

A

Squamous cell carcinoma tends to grow slowly, spread locally, and disseminates late.
Large cell carcinoma tends to grow rapidly, and metastasise early. They also tend to be poorly differentiated

13
Q

Which type of lung cancer tends to cavitate?

A

Squamous cell carcinoma tends to cavitate