respiratory pathology - neoplasia

Question 1

main type of tumour in lung cancer?

Answer 1

carcinoma (90-95%), bronchial carcinoids (5%)

Question 2

why are lung carcinoma’s difficult to cure?

Answer 2

cancer spreads to the lymph nodes quickly before patients recognise symptoms. 5 year survival rate.

Question 3

risk factors for lung cancer?

Answer 3

smoking, industrial hazards, family history, immunodeficiency

Question 4

symptoms of lung cancer?

Answer 4

cough, weight loss, chest pain, dyspnoea

Question 5

where do lung carcinoma’s commonly metastase too?

Answer 5

adrenals, liver, brain and bone

Question 6

classification of lung carcinomas?

Answer 6

small cell carcinoma (20-25%), non-small cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma (25-40%). adenocarcinoma (25-40%), and large cell carcinoma (10-15%)

Question 7

describe a small cell carcinoma:

Answer 7

correlates to smoking, mainly occurs in major bronchi and periphery, rapidly invades bronchial wall and parenchyma

Question 8

histopathology of small cell carcinoma?

Answer 8

small, tightly packed, darkly stained tumour cells with little cytoplasm and granular nuclear chromatin

Question 9

describe squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 9

mostly affects men, correlated with smoking, arises close to hilium in area of squamous metaplasia

Question 10

histopathology of squamous cell carcinoma?

Answer 10

well differentiated, resembles stratified squamous epithelium, characterised by keratin formation

Question 11

describe adenocarcinoma?

Answer 11

common in women and non-smokers. peripherally located, grows slowly but can metastasize early and widely

Question 12

histopathology of adenocarcinoma?

Answer 12

well differentiated, obvious glandular elements, 80% contain mucin

Question 13

describe large cell carcinomas

Answer 13

uncommon, undifferentiated, malignant epithelial tumour

Question 14

common primary sites causing lung metastases?

Answer 14

bowel, prostate, breast, kidney

Question 15

describe malignant mesothelioma

Answer 15

cancer cells found in the pleura, associated with extensive pleural effusion and direct invasion of thoracic structures

Question 16

who has increased risk of malignant mesothelioma?

Answer 16

those with exposure to asbestos

Question 17

histology of malignant mesothelioma

Answer 17

asbestos bodies are found in increased numbers in the lungs of patients, the affected lung is ensheathed with a thick layer of soft, gelatinous grey/pink tumour tissue

Question 18

symptoms of malignant mesothelioma?

Answer 18

chest pain, dyspnoea, pleural effusions