Cancer

Question 1

Least invasive, cheapest, quickest way of getting a cellular sample

Answer 1

Fine needle aspiration

-increased size of nucleus

Question 2

What are the possible differentials for L supraclavicular mass

Answer 2

Oesophageal, stomach cancer - Virchow’s node

Question 3

3 common types of lung cancer

Answer 3

Small cell - originate from neuroendocrine cells

• secrete ADH
• poor prognosis due to aggression
• chemo stops cell cycle so more effective on fast cell cycles (aggression)

Non small cell
Squamous cell - keratin and desmosomes visible
Adenocarcinoma - glandular structures present

Question 4

Chemotherapy

Answer 4

Cytotoxic - aim to completely kill cancer cells
Cytostatic - inhibits cell growth
Chemosensitivity varies between patients

Taxanes - affect spindle fibre formation

Topoisomerase inh - supercoiling => DNA damage and cell death

Antimetabolites - nucleoside analogue => prevents successful DNA synthesis

Question 5

Ancillary tests for lung adenocarcinoma for more targeted therapies

Answer 5

ELISA testing
PCR
In situ hybridisation

PDL1 - downregulate Tcell action
EGFR - mutation more commonly found in non smokers
KRas
ALK
ROS1
RET

Aim to use monoclonal AB to target cancer

Question 6

Known risk factors for specific cancers

Answer 6

H Pylori - stomach cancer
Age - prostate cancer
Red meat - colon cancer
HPV - cervical
Aflotoxin in incorrectly stored rice - liver cancer