Diagnosis

Lung Cancer

A physician will conclude lung cancer diagnosis usually through routine microscopy. Other testing involved will usually include a chemistry profile, phlegm exam, and fluid removal from chest and malignant cell exam.

Several other imaging exams will need to take place to determine the stage of the cancer. These may include a chest x-ray, CT Scan of the stomach and chest, an MRI or CT scan of the brain, and PET Scans which in such cases can help in staging the area of the lymph nodes and lungs where drainage of the lungs would be located. A Bone scan may also be ordered.

Finally endoscopy, or biopsy will be taken. Mediastinoscopy is safe and done as an outpatient procedure under general anasthetic. A small incision will be made at the base of the neck and a longtube known as a mediastinoscope would be moved along the airway to check the lymph nodes in the mid chest area. Tissue would then be collected with the device and analyzed.