Cancer Information

Posts Tagged ‘Lung Cancer Diagnosis’

Lung cancer diagnosis is made by radiological examinations: X-ray Computed Tomography and especially (or CAT scanner) Chest, and confirmed with a biopsy.

Only 15 to 20% of lung cancers are detected in its early stages because the symptoms are delayed. In many cases the diagnosis is usually incidental, that is, by medical evidence that you had another purpose. When diagnosed with lung cancer, additional tests are performed to evaluate different tumor stage (if the initial or advanced) as well as lung capacity and general condition.

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If the diagnosis is cancer, your doctor will want to know the arena (stage or extent) of the disease. Staging was performed to determine whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to what parts of the body.

Lung cancer often spreads to the brain or bones. Knowing the stage (stage) of the disease helps the doctor plan lung cancer treatment. Some of the tests used to determine whether the cancer has spread are:

CT scans or CT scan. A computer linked to an X-ray machine creates a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). A powerful magnet linked to a computer produces detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

Radionuclide studies. The scans with radionuclides (radioactive isotopes) can show whether cancer has spread to other organs including the liver. The patient swallows or receives an injection of a mildly radioactive substance. A machine (scanner) measures and records the level of radioactivity in certain organs to reveal abnormal areas.

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To help find the cause of the symptoms, the doctor evaluates the person’s medical history, your history of smoking, exposure to environmental substances or craft and family history of cancer. The doctor also performs a physical exam and may order chest x-rays and other tests. If lung cancer is suspected, sputum cytology (microscopic examination of cells in a sample of phlegm from the lungs that comes from a deep cough) is a simple test that can be useful for detecting lung cancer. To confirm the presence of lung cancer, the doctor needs to examine lung tissue. A biopsy is the removal of a small sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist and can show if a person has cancer. Several procedures can be used to obtain this tissue.

Bronchoscopy. The doctor puts a bronchoscope (a thin tube, light) by mouth or nose until you reach the windpipe to look into the airways. Through this tube, the doctor can collect cells or small tissue samples.

Needle aspiration. A needle is inserted into the tumor through the chest to remove a tissue sample.

Thoracentesis. Using a needle, the doctor removes a sample of fluid around the lungs for cancer cells.

Thoracotomy. Sometimes surgery is needed to open the chest to diagnose lung cancer. This procedure is a major operation that is performed in the hospital.