5. CAUSES
Exact cause is unknown
Risk factors include
Tobacco smoking
Exposure to industrial air pollutants (
eg.asbestos, arsenic)
Diesel exhaust
Radiation
Genetic predisposition
A diet poor in vitamins A, C & E
7. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Lung cancers originate in the respiratory tract
epithelium, most originate in the lining of the
bronchi.
Small cell carcinoma sometimes called oat cell
carcinoma. It grows rapidly and has metastasized by
the time of diagnosis. It is usually caused by smoking
and often found centrally, near the bronchi. The
patient with small cell carcinoma has a poor prognosis.
8. Large cell carcinoma is rapidly growing cancer that
can occur anywhere in the lungs. It metastasizes
early in the disease, so the patients have poor
prognosis.
Adenocarcinoma occurs more in women, and most
often in the peripheral lung fields. It is slow
growing but often is not diagnosed until
metastasis has occurred.
Squamous cell carcinoma usually originates near
the bronchi and metastasizes late in the disease.
They are associated with history of smoking.
9. STAGES OF LUNG CANCER
(TNM STAGING)
CANCER TYPE
STAGE
CHARACTERISTICS
Non- small cell lung cancer
I
No metastasis to lymph nodes
Atelectasis or Pneumonia
may be present
Cancer has spread to local
lymph nodes
II
III
IV
Small cell lung cancer
Limited
Extensive
Cancer has invaded chest
wall and usually has spread
to lymph nodes
Tumor has metastasized to
distant organs and lymph
nodes
Cancer is limited to one side
of the chest
Cancer cells are found
outside one side of the chest
or in pleural fluid
10. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Cough with sputum production
Repeated respiratory infections
Thick, purulent sputum
Hemoptysis
Dyspnea if the airway becomes obstructed by the
tumor
Wheezing or stridor
Late signs include chest pain, weight loss, anemia
and anorexia
11. COMPLICATIONS
Pleural effusion
Superior vena cava syndrome
Ectopic hormone production
Atelectasis and Pneumonia
Metastasis
Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy
12. DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
A complete medical history and physical
examination
Chest X-ray examination
CT Scan and Lung scan
Sputum analysis for abnormal cells
Brain and bone scans are done to find out
metastatic lesions
Biopsy of the lesion
14. NURSING DIAGNOSES AND
PATIENT OUTCOMES
Anticipatory grieving related to poor prognosis
Expected outcome: The patient will express his feelings
about his diagnosis and the potential for death.
Fatigue related to hypoxia
Expected outcome: The patient will employ measures to
prevent and modify fatigue.
Impaired gas exchange related to pulmonary dysfunction
Expected outcome: The patient will maintain his
respiratory rate within 5 breaths/minute of his baseline.
15. NURSING INTERVENTIONS
Give supportive care and provide patient teaching to
minimize complications and speed patient’s recovery.
Urge the patient to voice his concerns and provide
proper explanations before doing any procedures.
Prepare the patient for surgery.
Encourage the patient to eat high calorie .
Provide antiemetics and antidiarrheals as needed with
chemotherapy.
Provide skincare to minimize skin breakdown.
