Respiratory Qs Flashcards
(321 cards)
What are the clinical signs that indicate suspected cancer, meaning that an urgent chest xray within 2 weeks is required?
(Name 7- starting with the 2 main ones)
For patients over 40:
1.Clubbing
2.Lymphadenopathy (supraclavicular or persistent abnormal cervical nodes)
3.Recurrent or persistent chest infections
4.Raised platelet count (thrombocytosis)
5.Chest signs of lung cancer
6. 2 or more unexplained symptoms in patients that have never smoked
7.One or more unexplained symptoms in patients that have never smoked AND never had asbestos exposure
Thrombocytosis vs phillia = when another disease or condition causes you to have a high platelet count
What are the ‘unexplained symptoms’ in patients that would recommend an urgent chest xray to investigate suspected cancer?
(Name 6)
1.Cough
2.Shortness of breath
3.Chest pain
4.Fatigue
5.Weight loss
6.Loss of appetite
A 50 year old ex-smoker presents feeling “tired all the time” with no other symptoms. What is the red flag diagnosis and first steps?
i)Cancer
ii)Urgent Chest Xray
-qualifies as fatigue is an unexplained symptom and the patient is over 40 years old
A woman aged 42 presents with weight loss and general fatigue. She has never smoked. What is the red flag diagnosis and first step?
i)Cancer
ii)Urgent Chest Xray
-qualifies as fatigue and weight loss is an unexplained symptom and the patient is over 40 years old
What is the first-line investigation in suspected lung cancer?
Chest Xray
List the findings of a Chest Xray that would suggest lung cancer.
1.Hilar Enlargement
2.Peripheral Opacity
3.Pleural effusion (usually unilateral in cancer)
4.Collapse
What is Peripheral opacity on a Chest Xray?
A visible lesion in the lung field.
What investigation must be used to assess the stage of lung cancer?
CT scan : Contrast-enhanced, of the chest, abdomen and pelvis
What investigation is required to assess metastasis of cancer?
PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography)
List all of the investigations required in a patient with suspected lung caner?
Initial diagnosis:
Chest Xray
Staging:
CT Scan
Metastasis:
PET-CT
Tumour analysis (histological diagnosis):
Bronchoscopy or Percutaneous Biopsy
What is the most significant lifestyle cause of lung cancer?
Smoking
What are the two general types of histological classifications of lung cancer?
-Small-Cell lung cancer (20%)
-Non-small cell lung caner (80%)
What are the types of Non-small-cell lung cancer?
-Adenocarcinoma (Most common)
-Squamous cell carcinoma
-Large-cell carcinoma
-Other
What type of lung cancer is strongly linked to Asbestos inhalation?
Mesothelioma
(of pleura incasing the lung)
What is the prognosis for Meothelioma?
Poor prognosis:(
Chemotherapy can improve survival but is mainly palliative
List the general paraneoplastic syndromes syndromes?
(Name 9)
=group of rare disorders that occur when the immune system has a reaction to a cancerous tumor known as a “neoplasm.”
-Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy
-Phrenic Nerve Palsy
-Superior Vena Cava Obstruction
-Horner’s Syndrome
-Syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH)
-Cushing’s syndrome
-Hypercalcaemia
-Limbic Encephalitis
-Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome
What is Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy?
Presents with hoarse voice caused by a tumour pressing on or affecting the recurrent laryngeal nerve as it passes through the mediastinum.
What is Phrenic Laryngeal Nerve Palsy?
Presents with shortness of breath due to diaphragm weakness caused by nerve compression.
What is Superior Vena Cava Obstruction?
MEDICAL EMERGENCY!
It is a complication of lung cancer caused by compression of the tumour on the SVC.
What is Pemberton’s sign?
Raising the hands over the head causes facial congestion and cyanosis.
Describe a typical presentation of a patient with Superior Vena Cava obstruction.
Facial swelling, difficulty breathing and distended neck and upper chest veins. Also note Pemberton’s sign.
What is Horner’s Syndrome?
Triad: Partial Ptosis (eyelid drooping), Anhirdosis (inability to sweat) and Miosis (constricted pupils), that is caused by a Pancoast tumour pressing on the sympathetic ganglion.
What is a Pancoast tumour?
Tumour in the pulmonary apex (lung)
What is Ptosis?
When the upper eyelid droops over the eye which can limit or even completely block normal vision.