Small cell lung cancer Flashcards
What percentage of lung cancers is small cell lung cancer responsible for?
20%
Where does small cell lung cancer usually occur?
Centrally
What type of cells does small cell lung cancer arise from?
Endocrine cells
Due to small cell lung cancer arising from endocrine cells, what do they secrete?
Poly-peptides mainly ACTH
What ectopic secretions can small cell lung cancer cause?
ACTH
ADH
What can ADH secretion result in?
Hyponatraemia
What can ACTH secretion result in?
Cushing’s disease
What 2 endocrine disorders can small cell lung cancer present as?
Cushing’s syndrome
Addisons disease
What can ACTH secretion result in?
Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia
What other syndrome is associated with small cell lung cancer?
Lamberton-eaton syndrome
What can be done for small cell lung cancer if it is detected early enough?
Surgery
Why is small cell lung cancer usually inoperable?
Spreads very early- usually metastatic at the time of diagnosis
How are most patients that present with small cell lung cancer treated?
Combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Why is a mediastinoscopy done prior to surgery for small cell lung cancer?
CT does not always show lymph node involvement
What features of ACTH secretion are associated with small cell lung cancer?
hypertension, hyperglycaemia, hypokalaemia
Alkalosis
Muscle weakness
