Diagnosing Lung Cancer from the Swedish Medical Center

Diagnosing Lung Cancer
When lung cancer is diagnosed, the doctor must determine the type (small cell or non small cell) and the extent of spread or stage of the cancer in order to determine the best treatment. Lung cancer may grow locally in the lungs or spread distantly (metastasize) to other sites in the body, including lymph nodes, bones, and the brain. Determining the presence of a lung cancer and the type of lung cancer requires examination of tissues from the lung. A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for examination under a microscope and can be obtained using one or more of the following procedures.

Bronchoscopy: During a bronchoscopy, a surgeon inserts a bronchoscope (thin, lighted tube) through the nose or mouth into the trachea (windpipe) and bronchi (air passages that lead to the lung). Through this tube, the surgeon can examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi and lung and collect cells or small tissue samples.

Fine Needle Aspiration: During this procedure, a surgeon inserts a needle through the chest into the cancer to remove a tissue sample for examination under the microscope.

Thoracentesis: During a thoracentesis, a surgeon uses a needle to remove a sample of the fluid that surrounds the lungs in order to check for the presence of cancer cells.

Thoracotomy: A thoracotomy is a major operation, which involves opening the chest in order to diagnose lung cancer.

Sputum Cytology: Sputum cytology is a procedure used to examine mucus that is coughed up from the lungs or breathing tubes. The mucus is examined under a microscope in order to detect cancer cells.