Lung cancer

Question 1

How common is lung cancer?

Answer 1

3rd most common cancer

Question 2

What is paraneoplastic syndrome?

Answer 2

• Non metatstatic systemic effects that accompany malignant disease
• clubbing, weight loss, weakness, hyponatremia, hypercalcemia

Question 3

Most common lung cancer

Answer 3

Adenocarcinoma - 35%

then squamous, small cell, large cell

Question 4

What is the worst type of lung cancer?

Answer 4

Small cell

Question 5

What hormones do squamous cancers produce?

Answer 5

PTH

Question 6

What hormones do small cell cancers produce?

Answer 6

ACTH

Question 7

What are the oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes associated with small cell?

Answer 7

• Oncogenes – myc

- Tumour Suppressor Genes – p53, Rb, 3p

Question 8

What are the oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes associated with non small cell lung cancer?

Answer 8

• Oncogenes – myc, K-ras, her2(neu)

- Tumour suppressor genes – p53, 1q, 3p, 9p, 11p, Rb

Question 9

How is lung cancer staged?

Answer 9

TNM

Question 10

What does TNM stand for?

Answer 10

Tumour (size), nodes metastasis

Question 11

What are the ways of investigating lung cancer?

Answer 11

Bronchoscopy, mediastinoscopy, ct scan, pet scan (mets)

Question 12

What is the mediastinum?

Answer 12

The space between the 2 lungs in the chest cavity

Question 13

What are the 2 layers of pleura?

Answer 13

Visceral and parietal

Question 14

What is a pleural effusion

Answer 14

water on the lungs

Question 15

What are the 2 types of pleural effusion?

Answer 15

transudate and exudate

Question 16

What is a transudate pleural effusion?

Answer 16

<30g/l - low proteins and lipids in solution

Question 17

What is exudate pleural effusion?

Answer 17

Due to inflammation >30g/l. High in protein and lipids

Question 18

What is mesothelioma?

Answer 18

uncommon malignant tumour - in lining of lung. due to asbestos exposure

Question 19

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma

Answer 19

breathlessness, chest pain, wt loss, fever, sweat, cough

Question 20

What are the 4 treatments for lung cancer?

Answer 20

Surgery, Chemo, Radiotherapy, Palliative

Question 21

When can surgery be used in relation to lung cancer

Answer 21

When the tumor is localised

Question 22

When can chemo be used in relation to lung cancer

Answer 22

Better for small cell.

Question 23

Whats bad about chemo for the patient?

Answer 23

Side effects = hair loss, pulm fibrosis, tiredness, nausea, bone marrow suppression (anemia + infection)

Question 24

When can radiotherapy be used in relation to lung cancer

Answer 24

Non small cell cancer

Question 25

When can palliative care be used in relation to lung cancer

Answer 25

When the patient is gonna die. | Make them feel more comfortable.

Question 26

How many ml of fluid is in the pleural cavity?

Answer 26

4ml