Question

Which of the following statements about lung carcinoma is true?

• A. Squamous cell variant accounts for 70% of all lung cancers
• B. Oat cell variant typically presents with cavitation
• C. Oat cell variant is typically associated with hilar adenopathy
• D. Adenocarcinoma variant is typically central in location

Hint:

Oat cell is central and node hungry; squamous cell cavitates; adenocarcinoma is peripheral.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: The question tests the classic location and behaviour of the main lung cancer subtypes.
Step 2: Small cell (oat cell) carcinoma arises from neuroendocrine cells in the central airways. It grows fast and spreads early to hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, so it very often shows bulky hilar adenopathy on imaging. This makes option C correct.
Step 3: Why the others are wrong. Option A: squamous cell carcinoma is common but does not account for 70% of all lung cancers. Adenocarcinoma is now the single most common type, and squamous cell makes up roughly 25 to 30 percent. So 70% is far too high.
Step 4: Option B: cavitation is a feature of squamous cell carcinoma (and sometimes large cell), not of oat cell carcinoma. Small cell tumours are soft and rarely cavitate.
Step 5: Option D: adenocarcinoma is typically peripheral, often arising in the lung periphery or in scars. Central location is typical of squamous and small cell cancers, not adenocarcinoma.
Step 6: Putting the facts together, only the statement linking oat cell carcinoma with hilar adenopathy is true.
Answer: Option C.