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OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose topic is small cell lung carcinoma. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how small cell lung carcinoma will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a traditional question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a topic is quite valuable.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS CONDITION (ON EXAMS)
When it comes to standardized exams, each topic has its own “code” marked by key buzzwords, lab findings, clues, etc. If you are well versed in this code you will be able to more quickly identify the condition that is being discussed, and get the right answer on the exam you are taking. Below is the “code” for small cell lung carcinoma.
- Lung mass on imaging: usually central in position
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Question # 1
Explanation # 1
Question # 2
Explanation # 2
TESTABLE FACTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC (BEYOND ITS IDENTIFICATION)
Many questions on standardized exams go beyond simply recognizing the underlying topic. Often there are specific testable facts regarding some aspect of the topic’s pathophysiology/management/clinical implications that are commonly asked. Some of these are listed below:
- Tumor characteristic: undifferentiated (does not resemble any clear cell type such as adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma). VERY AGGRESSIVE.
- Myc oncogene application common: this oncogene promotes cell cycle progression.
- Tumor products: this tumor may produce ACTH (causing Cushing syndrome) or ADH (causing SIADH), or autoanbodies against presynaptic calcium channels (causing Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome)
- Treatment: Chemotherapy with or without radiation.
Page Updated: 04.24.2017