Lung Cancer Diagnosis Information
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The first step in evaluating the condition of someone with suspected lung cancer is a complete medical history and physical exam. Your physician will ask you some questions about your symptoms, any other health problems, and risk factors for lung cancer. Your breathing patterns will be monitored and you may be asked to perform a variety of breathing tests to assess your lung function. Your physician will also examine the abdomen and lymph nodes to check for evidence of lymph node tenderness or swelling which are possible indicators of advanced lung cancer.
Several tests may be performed to help diagnose and stage lung cancer including a physical exam, chest x-ray, CT scan, PET scan, MRI scan, sputum cytology, biopsy, bronchoscopy, fluorescence bronchoscopy, mediastinoscopy and pulmonary function test. These tests provide your physician with images of the your body utilizing x-rays, magnets, and radioisotopes. Special video equipment or actual tissue samples may also be used to provide your physician with an inside view of the lung.
During lung cancer treatment, you will continue to have diagnostic imaging tests to monitor your response to therapy and to your treatment plan. Once your treatment is complete, you will continue routine diagnostic tests to check for recurrence of cancer.
