Lung Cancer Diagnosis

Patients who experience pre-diagnosis symptoms indicative of lung cancer or who may suspect they have lung cancer for other reasons should visit a doctor for a thorough physical examination. Prompt diagnosis of any cancer is particulary important if it is detected early in that the earlier the cancer is detected, the greater array of treatment options are available to the patient.

The first test that will typically be performed for lung cancer or other respiratory complications is a sputum screening. The sputum is body matter from the throat or lungs and can typically be found in saliva. The sample will be sent for testing to see if it contains any bacteria, other infectious organisms, or cancerous cells. The cancer cells may be present in the sputum sample in many cancer varieties. However, if the testing of the sample proves inconclusive, other testing procedures may be necessary.

A chest radiograph, or X-ray, is the next most logical step in examining the cavities of the body. This can be done in two ways. A computed topography or "CT" scan is a computer assisted technology that produces cross-sectional views of the body. A magnetic resonance image or "MRI" is also a popular diagnostic method which hydrogen ions within the body become excited to the point that they are transmitted in the form of signals to a computer which then reconstructs an image of the body. This can be particularly useful in determining the involvement of the lung in any related symptoms a patient may be inquiring about.

Another option is a brochcoscopy, which is a visual examination of the windpipe and lung branches, performed by a respiratory disease specialist. This may include a camera search and biopsy, in which small pieces of lung tissue are removed for examination If this proves inconclusive or tests are suspiciously negative, a needle biopsy may be the next step.

A needle biopsy, with CT assistance, will be performed on suspected area of the lung and pleural lining. In this case, a small hollow needle draws tissue cells from the suspicious area for further lab examination. A bone scan may also accompany these tests as not to rule out the possibility of metastasis within other parts of the body, such as the bones.

Once diagnosis confirms the presence of the cancer, the ultimate goal is for the physician to determine the patient's candidacy for surgery. Surgery, when performed early can mean the difference when it comes to prognoses.