Question

The following are true about bronchogenic carcinoma EXCEPT

• A. It is the commonest malignant tumour in men
• B. One-Lung-Anaesthesia has improved results of surgery
• C. Most lung cancers are unresectable at presentation
• D. Small cell carcinoma carries better survival rate

Hint:

Small cell lung cancer spreads early and has a poor survival rate, not a better one.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

This question lists four claims about lung cancer and asks which one does not hold up.

1. It is the commonest malignant tumour in men: Lung cancer is a leading cancer and cancer killer in men in many countries, so this claim is true.
2. One-Lung-Anaesthesia has improved results of surgery: Ventilating only one lung during chest surgery keeps the operated lung still and out of the way, which has genuinely improved surgical outcomes, so this is true.
3. Most lung cancers are unresectable at presentation: Lung cancer is usually caught late, once it has already spread, so most cases cannot be fully removed by surgery at diagnosis, another true claim.
4. Small cell carcinoma carries better survival rate: Small cell carcinoma spreads fast and is usually already widespread when found. Even though it shrinks well with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, its long term survival is worse, not better, than most other lung cancer types. This claim is false.

Since the first three claims hold up and only the survival claim about small cell carcinoma is wrong, that is the exception the question wants.

Let's summarize:

• Small cell lung carcinoma spreads early and has a poor long term survival despite responding to chemo and radiotherapy.
• The other three statements about frequency, anaesthesia benefit, and late presentation are all accurate.

So the false statement is that small cell carcinoma carries a better survival rate.