Lung Cancer Study Guide: Types, Diagnosis, and Treatment

This detailed lung cancer study guide is an essential resource for healthcare professionals, medical students, and anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of lung cancer, its risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. This guide covers the two main types of lung cancer, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), as well as advances in targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
 
Key Features:
Types of Lung Cancer: Learn the key differences between SCLC (aggressive, rapid growth) and NSCLC (more common, various subtypes like adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma).
 
Risk Factors: Understand the major risk factors for lung cancer, including smoking, occupational exposure (asbestos, radon), air pollution, lifestyle factors, and genetic predispositions.
 
Signs & Symptoms: Recognize the common early and late-stage symptoms of lung cancer, such as persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, weight loss, and hoarseness, which can help in early diagnosis.
 
Diagnosis & Screening: Discover the diagnostic tools used for lung cancer, including chest X-rays, CT scans, PET-CT scans, MRI, and biopsy. Learn about the role of targeted screening for high-risk individuals with low-dose CT scans.
 
Staging & Prognosis: Explore the TNM staging system, which helps determine the extent of disease spread and guides treatment decisions. Understand the prognostic implications of early versus late-stage diagnosis.
 
Treatment Options: Review the treatment approaches for lung cancer, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy (EGFR, ALK inhibitors), and immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors like Pembrolizumab and Atezolizumab).
 
Personalized Therapy: Learn about the importance of molecular profiling in NSCLC and the role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immunotherapies in tailored treatment plans.
 
Palliative Care: Gain insight into palliative care options, including radiotherapy and systemic therapies, aimed at symptom management and improving quality of life for advanced-stage lung cancer patients.
 
Whether you're preparing for exams, working in clinical practice, or expanding your knowledge in oncology, this guide provides a structured, in-depth approach to understanding lung cancer and its management.