Lung Cancer Flashcards
(26 cards)
risk factors in lung cancer
smoking asbestos nickel radiation pollution genetics
local effects to the body of lung cancer (3)
obstruction of airway
invasion of chest wall (pain)
ulceration causing haemoptysis
areas of body where LC metastasises (5)
brain skin bones adrenal liver
4 types of lung tumours
adenocarinoma
squamous carcinoma
small cell carcinoma
large cell carcinoma
methods of diagnosing lung cancer
bronchoscopy/biopsy
needle aspiration of metastases
CT/PET scan
which lung cancer has the worst prognosis
small cell (90% dead after one year)
chemotherapy is most effective for which type of LC?
small cell lung cancer
what is the curative treatment option for NSCLC?
Surgery
what is the palliative treatment for NSCLC?
radiotherapy or other palliative techniques
what are the main symptoms of LC? (8)
cough for over 3 weeks haemoptysis chest and shoulder pain breathlessness at rest unexpected weight loss recurrent chest infections tiredness hoarse voice
what is haemoptysis caused by?
the tumours vascular supply spreading - ulcerating through the surface of the tumour
definition of stridor?
difficulty breathing in and out causing a loud noise greater than a wheeze.
due to tumour obstructing the vocal cords and tightening the neck.
what is affected if a bronchial carcinoma invades the recurrent laryngeal nerve?
voice affected - creates hoarse voice
what is dysphagia?
difficulty swallowing, as a result of local tumour invasion of oesophagus.
what symptoms present in brachial plexus invasion?
wasting away of small muscles in the hand and weakness in muscles.
in lung cancer, the volume of the affected lung increases/decreases?
decreases
due to tumour taking over lung volume and materials
what is a pleural effusion and what are the symptoms of it?
fluid within the pleural space. presenting symptom is breathlessness
what structure is invaded when the head and neck has poor drainage of blood and the abdomen veins are visible?
local invasion of superior vena cava
when is radical radiotherapy given as a treatment
patients with early stage NSCLC but with comorbidities for surgery
ACTH and ADH are secreted from which lung cancer
small cell
parathyroid hormone is secreted from which lung cancer
squamous cells
which cancers are located at the periphery of the lungs
adenocarcinoma and large cell cancer
which lung cancers are located at the centre of the lungs
small cell lung cancer and squamous cell
which lung cancer is located at the apex of the lung and how does it present
pancoast tumour - horners syndrome and neurological symptoms
