Pathology of lung cancers

Question 1

Describe the common clinical presentations of lung tumours, including local and extrathoracic symptoms and signs.

Answer 1

local effects- bronchial obstruction, lipoid pneumonia, bronchiectasis, infection/ abscess
nerves- phrenic, left recurrent laryngeal, brachial plexus (pan coast tumour), cervical sympathetic (horners syndrome)

Question 2

Define the types of lung carcinoma.

Answer 2

squamous cell, adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma

Question 3

Describe how lung cancer spreads both within and outwith the thorax.

Answer 3

Cancerous cells can grow into surrounding healthy tissues, including the lining of the lungs and nearby lobes.
This is known as local metastasis. Or, cancerous cells can invade the lymph nodes and travel through the lymphatic system to other parts of the body.

Question 4

Describe the epidemiology and pathogenesis of primary lung cancer.

Answer 4

tobacco, asbestos, environmental radon, air pollution, occupational exposure
typically effects more males

Question 5

signs of horners syndrome

Answer 5

drooping of eyelid, absence of face sweating, sinking of eyeball into bony cavity. This occurs is tumour is over cervical sympathetic nerve

Question 6

signs of pan coast tumour

Answer 6

A Pancoast tumor commonly causes sharp pain in the shoulder and shoulder blade and the pain can radiate down the body as the tumor grows.

Question 7

symptoms of lung cancer

Answer 7

haempotysis, dyspneoa, clubbing, sputum, abnormal liver function,

Question 8

symptoms associated with squamous carcinoma

Answer 8

hypercalcaemia