Diagnostic tests for lung cancer
Tests to detect and stage lung cancer
-Tests and procedures to detect and stage lung cancer are often done at the same time.
-The following tests and procedures may be used:
Physical exam and history
Laboratory tests
Chest x-ray
CT scan
Sputum cytology
Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the lung
Bronchoscopy
Thoracoscopy
Thoracentesis
Physical exam and history
-An exam of the body to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual.
-A history of the patient’s health habits, including smoking, and past jobs, illnesses, and treatments will also be taken.
Medical procedures that test samples of tissue, blood, urine, or other substances in the body
An x-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest
-A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of the chest, taken from different angles.
-The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.
-A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly.
A procedure in which a pathologist views a sample of sputum under a microscope, to check for cancer cells.
Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the lung
-The removal of tissue or fluid from the lung using a thin needle.
-A CT scan, ultrasound, or other imaging procedure is used to locate the abnormal tissue or fluid in the lung.
-A small incision may be made in the skin where the biopsy needle is inserted into the abnormal tissue or fluid.
-A sample is removed with the needle and sent to the laboratory.
-A pathologist then views the sample under a microscope to look for cancer cells.
-A chest x-ray is done after the procedure to make sure no air is leaking from the lung into the chest.
Bronchoscopy
-A procedure to look inside the trachea and large airways in the lung for abnormal areas.
-A bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs.
-A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing.
-It may also have a tool to remove tissue samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.
Thoracoscopy
-A surgical procedure to look at the organs inside the chest to check for abnormal areas.
-An incision (cut) is made between two ribs, and a thoracoscope is inserted into the chest.
A thoracoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue or lymph node samples, which are checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.
-The removal of fluid from the space between the lining of the chest and the lung, using a needle.
-A pathologist views the fluid under a microscope to look for cancer cells
Thoracentesis
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