This diagnostic evaluation takes about three to five days. Doctors use a wide range of diagnostic procedures and tests to diagnose lung cancer. These include the following: The history and physical examination may reveal the presence of symptoms or signs that are suspicious for lung cancer.
Chest X Ray CT (computerized tomography, computerized axial tomography, or CAT) Low-dose helical CT scan (or spiral CT scan) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Positron emission tomography (PET) Bone scans Sputum cytology Bronchoscopy Needle biopsy Thoracocentesis Major surgical procedures: If none of the aforementioned methods yields a diagnosis, surgical methods must be employed to obtain tumor tissue for diagnosis. These can include. Mediastinoscopy (examining the chest cavity between the lungs through a surgically inserted probe with biopsy of tumor masses or lymph nodes that may contain…
