Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Your Path

  • Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Etiology

  • 85-90% of lung cancer
  • Typically adenocarcinoma (40%), squamous cell (25-30%), and large cell (5-10%)

Risk Factors

  • Family hx
  • Most common RF is tobacco smoking
  • Other Rfs include asbestos exposure, environmental smoke, ionizing radiation, radon, marijuana/hookah
  • 25% of lung ca (typically adeno) occurs w/no smoking hx

Symptoms

  • Hemoptysis
  • Progressive cough, SOB, DOE
  • Weight loss (advanced)
  • Back/boney pain, neuro deficits/head ache/confusion--> mets to bone, brain, spine/cord or metabolic derangements (e.g. hypercalcemia)

Physical Exam Findings

  • Wheezing or stridor (based on anatomic location)
  • Bronchial breath sounds if consolidation
  • Decreased breath sounds and dullness if effusion
  • Pain over site of a boney met
  • Neuro deficits if mets