Lung Anatomy & Function
What is the main function of the alveoli?
Gas exchange - oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide is removed.
What is the leading cause of lung cancer?
Cigarette smoking
What imaging test is used for lung cancer screening?
Low-dose CT (LDCT) scan
What is the main treatment for early-stage non-small lung cancer?
Surgical resection
True or False: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.
True.
What muscle contracts during the inhalation to expand the chest cavity?
The Diaphragm
Name one occupational exposure that increases lung cancer risk.
Asbestos or radon exposure
Who qualifies for annual lung cancer screening according to USPSTF (2021)?
Adults aged 50-80 with > 20 pack year history who currently smoke or quit within 15 years
What therapy uses drugs that stimulate the immune system to fight cancer?
Immunotherapy.
What percentage of lung cancer cases are linked to smoking?
About 85%.
Which lung is slightly smaller and why?
The left lung is smaller to make space for the heart.
True or False: Secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer
True
What test confirms the diagnosis of lung cancer?
Tissue biopsy
Name one common chemotherapy drug used in lung cancer treatment.
Cisplatin (or Carboplatin).
Approximately how many new lung cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the U.S.?
About 230,000 cases (2024 estimate).
What is the pathway of air from nose to alveoli?
Nose --> Pharynx --> Larynx --> Trachea --> Bronchi --> Bronchioles --> Alveoli
How does quitting smoking affect lung cancer risk over time?
Risk drops by about 50% after 10 years of quitting.
What staging system is used for lung cancer?
TNM system (Tumor, Node, Metastasis)
What type of radiation therapy focuses beams precisely on the tumor?
Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT).
What is the 5-year survival rate for localized lung cancer?
Around 65%.
What type of epithelial cells line the alveoli and enable gas exchange?
Type 1 alveolar cells (pneumocytes)
Which genetic mutation is commonly associated with non small lung cancer (NSCLC) in nonsmokers?
EGFR mutation
What test is used to evaluate spread of lung cancer to the brain?
MRI of the brain
Which treatment targets specific mutations in cancer cells, such as EGFR or ALK?
Targeted therapy (e.g., osimertinib, alectinib).
Which month is recognized as Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and what color ribbon represents it?
November; white ribbon.