Lung cancer is one of the most serious diseases and one of the most common cancers in humans. In Spain, is a cancer that causes more deaths in men (and ranks third in mortality from cancer in women).

Benign and malignant tumors are named for the spot of the tumor originates. Thus, lung cancer begins to develop in the lungs.

Some malignant tumors originate elsewhere in the body and spread to the lungs. Are lung metastases. But in this case are not lung cancer itself: keep the name of their place of origin. For example, colon cancer can give lung metastases and liver metastases, but still called colon cancer.

Most malignant lung tumors (or cancer) begins in the layer covering the bronchi, although less often arise in other locations, such as the trachea, bronchioles, or alveoli.

The content and articles of this website are written for patients and their families are our proposal to transfer the latest knowledge and advances in science in this disease affected people in simple language that is understandable. These articles in no way intended to replace your doctor, but in any case to help better understand and provide the affected person support at this very difficult to cope with the diagnosis of lung cancer.

- Chest radiograph with which you can see any mass or spot on the lungs and reasonably set the probability of being a cancer. This test is performed in two projections, one front and one in profile. For more than 95% of cancer cases their results are abnormal.

- TAC: It consists of an X-ray emission from different perspectives and with that seen throughout the body. It is a simple test which usually lasts more than 15-30 minutes. This is more sensitive than radiography and it detects more early-stage cancer. It also serves to check for metastasis to other organs: liver, adrenal glands, brain and so on. It is the most widely used imaging test and profitable in the study of this disease. However, sometimes required to complete the study of CT with other more sensitive tests for specific sites of lung cancer: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain or spine, liver ultrasound, bone scan and so on.

- Magnetic resonance imaging is used to make detailed cross-sectional images. This technique uses magnetic fields and spectra emitted by phosphorus in body tissues and becomes the image. With it you can see the tumor vasculature. They are more accurate images with which one can observe the spread of cancer to the brain or spinal cord. It is often not too useful for exploring the lungs.

- Positron emission tomography (PET): involves injecting a drug radio combined with glucose and this will be taken up by cancer cells, cancer exist, they consume more glucose. The radio will be located drug areas where the tumor. In the case of lung cancer, is sometimes used to clear any doubts sown by the TAC, but is not necessary most of the time.

- Sputum cytology: We analyzed the first sputum or phlegm in the morning with a microscope to see if it contains cancer cells. Is a simple and very cost effective in lung cancers located in the bronchi.

- Tissue biopsy will be needed to confirm the diagnosis of lung cancer. This test involves taking a sample of suspicious tissue and microscopic analysis. The biopsy can be done by inserting a tube, a bronchoscope through the nose to where mass is in the lung. If the patient’s characteristics can not be done this type of biopsy, there will be a small operation to remove the tissue. After analyzing it, we can now determine the tumor type and stage and establish the appropriate treatment. Biopsies can be performed to analyze tissue from other areas, such as the lymph nodes, if metastasis is suspected.

- Mediastinoscopy and mediastinostomy: Most of the time, the TAC will be insufficient to provide essential information on whether the nodes of the mediastinum, in the center of the chest are affected or not. If in doubt, mediastinoscopy is used. This exam is done under general anesthesia, introduced under the sternum through a small incision at the base of the neck, a tube and optical system equipped with biopsy forceps.

- Blood tests can determine whether some functional or organic values are altered because of the disease and also help to determine the functional face of the person to treatment.