Lung Cancer - Detailed Diagnosis
By using preliminary diagnosis techniques, the presence of lung cancer can either be confirmed or discounted. If lung cancer is confirmed then further detailed diagnosis and tests need to be carried out to identify the extent of the disease while appropriate treatment is undertaken to combat the affliction.
Once the diagnosis for lung cancer (or any other cancer) has been confirmed, the next step is for the doctor to determine the stage of the cancer and how far it has spread.
Staging is used to discover whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and, if so where. This detailed diagnosis is very important for determining the best possible options and strategies for treatment.
Cancer can often spread to other parts of the body. Lung cancer is notorious for spreading to the brain and/or bones. By knowing at what stage and level of the disease their patient has reached, doctors can use this information to put into practice the best possible treatment for their patient.
Some tests used to determine whether the cancer has spread include:
Computed Tomography Scan (CAT or CT scan): A CAT scan is done using a computer related to an x-ray machine which creates a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body.
CAT scans are capable of detecting extremely small tumours and enable the doctor to determine if the tumour has spread to lymph nodes.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An MRI scan is done by a computer which is linked to a powerful magnet. This is able to create very clear images of specific body parts. The images produced show the presence of tumours in any of the tissues, bones and other body parts which may be affected.
Radionuclide Scanning: For this scan, the patient has to swallow or be given an injection of a slightly radioactive substance. A short time later, a scanner measures and records the level of radioactivity in specific organs.
This can reveal irregular areas inside the body because cancerous tissue and normal healthy tissue absorb the radioactive material at different rates. This scanning can show whether cancer has spread to other organs, such as the liver.
Bone Scan: is a Radionuclide Scan which discovers whether the cancer has extended to specific bones of the body. A small amount of radioactive substance is injected into a vein, which then moves through the bloodstream and collects where there are areas of irregular bone growth. A scanner will then measure the radioactivity levels in these areas and records them onto an x-ray film.
Mediastinoscopy: A Mediastinoscopy assists in showing whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the chest. An instrument, called a scope, is inserted through a small incision in the neck, allowing a doctor to examine the chest (mediastinum) and the nearby lymph nodes and collect and retrieve small samples of tissue. To ease the pain / discomfort, a general anaesthetic is given to the patient.
Mediastinotomy: same as Mediastinoscopy (above), but the scope is inserted through an incision made in the chest rather than the neck.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: PET Scans determine if the tumour has spread to other parts of the body. Before undergoing a PET scan the radiographer or doctor administers a special type of sugar. This is because cells use sugar for energy to enable them to function. They then produce heat as they burn the sugar.
Cancer cells tend to be more active, so they use more sugar and produce greater heat than normal cells. PET Scans identify "hot spots" throughout the body, enabling the doctor to determine the location of any cancer.
Lung Cancer - Overview
Lung Cancer is a type of cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. Many lung cancers begin in the bronchi though others can start in other parts of the lungs. Lung cancer also has a tendency to form in the glands below the bronchi.
Lung Cancer - Probabilities
Lung cancer causes up to 30% of all cancer related deaths, and it is the 2nd leading cause of death among both men and women in western society. 85% of all lung cancers are caused by a person's smoking habit or just by breathing in the second-hand smoke of others.
Lung Cancer - Screening
At this moment in time, there is no particularly useful single test that can be considered 100% reliable for the early detection of lung cancer. Unfortunately unless someone is undergoing a health screen for something completely unrelated, lung cancer is very often only discovered in the later stages of the disease when it is often too late to do anything but offer palliative treatment.
Lung Cancer - Symptoms
The most common indicators and symptoms of lung cancer include the following: Fatigue Shortness of breath and wheezing (dyspnoea) A cough that doesn't go away and gets worse over time Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis Constant chest pain Coughing up blood (bloody sputum) (haemoptysis) Swelling of the neck and face Fever Loss of appetite and Weight loss (anorexia) Hoarse voice
Lung Cancer Treatment Options - Radiation
In many cases of lung cancer, surgery is not an option. This may be because of the advanced stage of the cancer, the location of the tumor or tumors, or because of the overall general health of the patient. In those cases, the oncologist may suggest radiation therapy to treat lung cancer. Even if surgery is an option, the doctor may suggest irradiation either before therapy to shrink the tumor or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Lung Cancer - Trends by Ethnicity, Sex and Race
In the USA and many other western countries, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Lung cancer has been found to be the leading cancer killer among Caucasians, African-Americans, Asians and Hispanic males.