Lung Cancer Flashcards

1
Q

Prevalence of death with lung cancer?

A

1/3 of all death from cancer is related to lung cancer

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2
Q

Where do mets from the lungs typically go?

A

Bone, liver, brain

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3
Q

What are most lung cancers due to?

A

Smoking

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4
Q

Do non-smokers develop lung cancer?

A

Yes

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5
Q

Etiology of lung cancer?

A
  • Smoking (>85%)
  • environmental toxins (eg. asbestos)
  • marijuana
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6
Q

Asbestos?

A

Insulation used in older buildings. When it is inhaled, it forms tiny fibres within the lungs, it is not illegal in Canada.

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7
Q

What type & percentage is the majority of lung cancer?

A

95% bronchogenic carcinoma (originates in the bronchiole epithelial tissue)

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8
Q

What are the 4 major types of lung cancer?

A
  1. small cell carcinoma
  2. large cell carcinoma
  3. squamous cell carcinoma
  4. adenocarcinoma
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9
Q

What is the category for each of the lung cancers?

A

Small cell carcinoma = SCLC (small cell lung cancer)

Large cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma; adenocarcinoma = NSCLC (non small cell lung cancer)

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10
Q

Prevalence of small cell carcinoma?

A

~12%

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11
Q

What is small cell lung cancer also known as and why?

A

Oval cell carcinoma or “oat” cell carcinoma because the tiny malignant cells resemble grains of oat

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12
Q

Who does small cell carcinoma occur in more?

A
  • 99% of SCLC is in smokers
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13
Q

Is there screening available?

A

No, about 70% of the time mets have occurred by the time it is diagnosed. Cancer is already advanced on discovery

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14
Q

Paraneoplastic syndrome examples?

A

syndrome of inappropriate ADH release (SIADH); Cushing syndrome (hypersecretion of cortisol)

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15
Q

Paraneoplastic syndrome?

A

These endocrine disorders occur because the tumour secretes hormone-like substances that have the same action as the affected hormone known as ectopic tumours.

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16
Q

Prevalence of large cell carcinoma?

A

~12%

17
Q

What is the worst type of lung cancer to have and why?

A

Small cell carcinoma because it is aggressive, invasive and has early mets to the brain

18
Q

Large cell carcinoma?

A
  • large, undifferentiated cells
  • peripheral origin (alveoli, bronchioles)
  • early mets -> poor prognosis
19
Q

Who is squamous cell carcinoma more common in?

A

Males

20
Q

Where does squamous cell carcinoma originate?

A

central bronchi; intraluminal (within the lumen of the bronchi)

21
Q

What is meant by “peripheral origin?”

A

the small airways are peripheral in respect to the respiratory tract. Ex. alveoli, bronchioles

22
Q

In which lung cancer do paraneoplastic syndromes occur?

A

Small cell carcinoma

23
Q

Which lung cancer spreads to the hilar lymph nodes?

A

Squamous lung carcinoma

24
Q

Hilus?

A

Refers to the area of the lung where vessels and bronchi enter

25
Q

Prevalence of squamous cell carcinoma?

A

~30%

26
Q

What is the most common type of lung cancer

A

adenocarcinoma

27
Q

Adenocarcinoma?

A

Cancer of the glandular epithelium (most common type of lung cancer

28
Q

Prevalence of adenocarcinoma?

A

~30%

29
Q

Who does adenocarcinoma mainly occur in?

A

Women and nonsmokers

30
Q

Where does adenocarcinoma originate?

A

In the alveoli or bronchioles (peripheral origin- bronchogenic carcinoma)

31
Q

Manifestations of lung cancer?

A
  • Depends on: Type, site; extent, mets; paraneoplastic syndromes (endocrine disorders)
  • pain (peripheral mnft)
  • hemoptysis (peripheral mnft)
  • if central -> ventilation is impaired -> coughing, wheezing, dyspnea
  • cardiac manifestations d/t proximity of pericardium, cardiac function can be compromised
32
Q

Diagnostics for lung cancer?

A
  • hx, px
  • xray, CT scan, MRI, US
  • Cytology (sputum or bronchial wash)
  • bronchoscopy, biopsy
33
Q

Treatment for lung cancer?

A
  • SCLC : chemo and radiation
  • NSCLC : surgery, chemo and radiation
    (Both benefit from combination therapy but only NSCLC can be treated with surgery; generally poor prognosis)
34
Q

Hemoptysis?

A

Coughing up blood (CA damages blood vessels)