pathology of lung cancers

Question 1

what is risk of lung cancer linked to in regards to smoking?

Answer 1

inhalation and pack years (pack per day per year)

Question 2

why does it take long for smokers to return to normal risk levels once quitting?

Answer 2

because the genetic damage caused by smoking carcinogens takes a long time to repair

Question 3

what are the main carcinogens associated with smoking?

Answer 3

polycyclic hydrocarbons (very common before unfiltered cigarettes) - more likely to develop in bronchi (small cell carcinoma)

N-nitrosamines - more likely to cause adenocarcinomas (especially in females)

Question 4

why are the procarcinogens in tobacco smoke even dangerous?

Answer 4

because many enzymes in the in the liver metabolise them into carcinogens

Question 5

in relation to metastases, why is it important to take a good patient history

Answer 5

because metastases to the lung are pretty common and it is quite hard to find out if this is the case