Question:medium
Which of the following statements about lung carcinoma is true?
Which of the following statements about lung carcinoma is true?
Show Hint
Oat cell is central and node hungry; squamous cell cavitates; adenocarcinoma is peripheral.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Squamous cell variant accounts for 70% of all lung cancers
- Oat cell variant typically presents with cavitation
- Oat cell variant is typically associated with hilar adenopathy
- Adenocarcinoma variant is typically central in location
Show Solution
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Map each option to a known fact about lung tumour subtypes.
Start with small cell (oat cell) carcinoma. It is a central tumour of neuroendocrine origin that metastasises early. Its hallmark on a chest film or CT is large hilar and mediastinal nodal masses, that is, hilar adenopathy. The statement in option C therefore matches reality.
Now check option A. Adenocarcinoma is the leading histological type overall, while squamous cell carcinoma sits around a quarter of cases. A figure of 70% for squamous cell is simply wrong.
Option B claims oat cell tumours cavitate. Cavitation needs central necrosis within a bulky keratinising mass, which is the picture seen in squamous cell carcinoma, not in the small soft cells of an oat cell tumour. False.
Option D says adenocarcinoma is central. In fact adenocarcinoma favours the lung periphery, frequently near pleura or old scars. Squamous and small cell cancers are the central ones. False.
Only the oat cell to hilar adenopathy link survives scrutiny.
\[\boxed{\text{Oat cell variant is typically associated with hilar adenopathy}}\]
Start with small cell (oat cell) carcinoma. It is a central tumour of neuroendocrine origin that metastasises early. Its hallmark on a chest film or CT is large hilar and mediastinal nodal masses, that is, hilar adenopathy. The statement in option C therefore matches reality.
Now check option A. Adenocarcinoma is the leading histological type overall, while squamous cell carcinoma sits around a quarter of cases. A figure of 70% for squamous cell is simply wrong.
Option B claims oat cell tumours cavitate. Cavitation needs central necrosis within a bulky keratinising mass, which is the picture seen in squamous cell carcinoma, not in the small soft cells of an oat cell tumour. False.
Option D says adenocarcinoma is central. In fact adenocarcinoma favours the lung periphery, frequently near pleura or old scars. Squamous and small cell cancers are the central ones. False.
Only the oat cell to hilar adenopathy link survives scrutiny.
\[\boxed{\text{Oat cell variant is typically associated with hilar adenopathy}}\]
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