Navigating Lung Cancer Diagnosis: A Patient’s Guide
Lung cancer diagnosis involves a series of steps to confirm the presence and type of cancer, determine its stage, and guide treatment decisions. This guide provides detailed information to empower you throughout the process:
Initial Evaluation:
- Medical History and Risk Factors: Your doctor will discuss your medical history, including smoking history, family history of cancer, and any lung-related symptoms you’re experiencing.
- Physical Examination: Your doctor will perform a physical exam, checking for signs like swollen lymph nodes or abnormal chest sounds.
Diagnostic Tests:
- Chest X-ray: This basic image provides an initial overview of your lungs and chest cavity.
- Sputum Cytology: Examining mucus coughed up from your lungs can sometimes reveal cancer cells.
- CT Scan: This detailed scan creates cross-sectional images of your lungs and surrounding tissues, allowing for better visualization of potential tumors.
- Bronchoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted through your airways to directly visualize the inside of your lungs and potentially collect tissue samples (biopsy) for further analysis.
- Biopsy: This definitive diagnostic test involves collecting tissue samples from the suspected tumor, either through bronchoscopy, needle biopsy inserted through the chest wall, or surgical biopsy.
Pathological Analysis:
Biopsy samples are examined under a microscope by a pathologist to determine the type of lung cancer present:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Most common type, further classified into various subtypes based on cell appearance and behavior.
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Less common but grows and spreads more aggressively.
Staging:
Once the cancer type is confirmed, further tests like PET scans or bone scans may be used to determine the stage (extent of spread) of the cancer, which is crucial for guiding treatment decisions. Stages typically range from I (early, localized) to IV (advanced, widespread).
Additional Tests:
- Blood tests: May assess overall health, liver function, and presence of certain tumor markers.
- Genetic testing: Sometimes used to identify specific gene mutations that may influence treatment options.
- Tissue and/or liquid biopsy special testing for personalized and precision treatment planning with NGS technique such as Metavectum, Foundation OneCDX, TEMPUS or Caris
Seeking Expert Advice:
Remember, this information provides a general overview, and seeking professional medical advice is crucial. If you have concerns about your lung health, consult your doctor promptly. They can guide you through the diagnostic process, explain your results in detail, and discuss personalized treatment options based on your individual diagnosis, stage, and overall health.