Primary Lung Tumours

  • 90% are carcinomas
  • Non-small cell carcinoma 85%
    • squamous cell carcinoma 20%
    • adenocarcinoma 30%
    • large cell carcinoma 10%
  • Small cell 15%

Main morphological difference between the two is nuclear characteristics and amount of cytoplasm. Small cell “always” smoking

Squamous cell

  • Presence of keratinization +/- intercellular bridges

Adenocarcinoma

  • Mucin production +/- gland formation

Small cell

  • Don’t produce keratin or mucin

Secondary Lung Tumours

  • More common than primary
  • Multiple discrete nodules
  • Most commonly from breast, GIT, kidney
  • Sarcomas
  • Melanomas
  • Lymphomas