see Pulmonary Nodule

Bronchogenic Carcinoma

1. Non-small cell
2. Small cell

There are three main subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer:

1. Squamous cell cancer

• typically central; associated with cavitary lesions
• usually metastasizes by direct extension into the hilar node and mediastinum
• associated with parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) secretion → hypercalcaemia
• strongly associated with finger clubbing
• hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA)

2. Adenocarcinoma

• most common type of lung cancer in non-smokers, although the majority of patients who develop lung adenocarcinoma are smokers
• typically located on the lung periphery
• subtype = bronchioalveolar carcinoma
• associated with Asbestos exposure (with latency about 30 years)
• associated with pleural effusions that have high hyaluronidase levels

3. Large cell lung carcinoma

• peripherally located