Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

The extent of lung cancer treatment success and prognosis is determined by the early diagnosis and the degree of malignancy. Patients with one of the following symptoms, particularly long-term heavy male smokers over age of 40, should be extra cautious and timely proceed to cancer screening:

1. Patients not responding to medication and continuously coughing for 2-3 weeks
2. Cough with bloody sputum for 2 to 3 months.
3. Pneumonia recurrence of the same area.
4. Unknown causes for lung abscess
5. Unknown causes for joint pain from all limbs or clubbing fingernails and toenails.
6. Chest X-ray shows localized emphysema or lung collapse.
7. The existing tuberculosis focus is stabilized, but there are new larger focuses emerging.

Lung Cancer Test Items

1. Chest X-ray

With the coordination of CT scan, chest X-ray – a basic lung cancer detecting method – often yields clear diagnosis.

2. Chest CT scan

A chest CT scan displays anatomical structures that is not evident in ordinary chest X-rays.

3. Phlegm cytology test

Collecting phlegm coughed up from deeper end of trachea is another significant diagnostic approach.

4. Fiber bronchoscopy

Fiber bronchoscopy is a major lung cancer diagnostic method which allows close inspection of the bronchi. With the help of cytology and biopsy tests, there is 90% chance of detecting lung cancer.

5. Pathology tests

With the guidance of chest CT scan or ultrasound, the examiner uses a fine needle to puncture through the thoracic wall to remove a biopsy sample from the cancer tissue; the method often provides decisive diagnosis of lung cancer.

6. Positron emission tomography

Positron emission tomography makes use of the contrast between radioactive substance number absorbed by cancer cells and normal tissue number to further determine the location and nature of the tumors.

7. Exploratory surgery

When the foregoing lung cancer detecting methods yield inconclusive diagnoses, it is recommended to undergo exploratory surgery if the patient is still suspected of lung cancer.