What tests are good for detecting lung cancer?

4 comments

1. 

   southernserendipiti on July 31, 2010 at 4:50 pm

   Usually symptoms of lung cancer do not appear until the disease is in an advanced stage. But some lung cancers are diagnosed early because they are found as a result of tests for other medical conditions. For example, a diagnosis may be made by imaging tests (such as a chest x-ray or chest CT scan), bronchoscopy (viewing the inside of bronchi through a flexible lighted tube), or sputum cytology (microscopic examination of cells in coughed up phlegm) performed for other reasons in patients with heart disease, pneumonia, or other lung conditions.

   So far there is not lung cancer screening test that has been shown to prevent people from dying of this disease. The use of chest x-rays and sputum cytology (checking phlegm under the microscope to find cancer cells) has been tested for several years. The studies, which have been recently updated, have concluded that these tests could not find many lung cancers early enough to improve a person’s chance for a cure. For this reason, lung cancer screening is not a routine practice for the general public or even for people at increased risk, such as smokers.

   Recently, a new x-ray technique called spiral or helical low dose CT scanning has been successful in detecting early lung cancers in smokers and former smokers. But it has not yet been proven if this technique will lower the chances of dying from lung cancer. One major problem with this test is that it finds a lot of abnormalities that turn out not to be cancer. This leads to a lot of unnecessary testing and even surgery.

   The ACS recommends that, as much as possible, people who were smokers, are current smokers, have been exposed to secondhand smoke, or have worked around materials that increase the risk for lung cancer, be aware of their continuing lung cancer risk.

2. 

   CaliDoc on July 31, 2010 at 4:50 pm

   Start with physical exam by a doctor, chest x-ray if you are concerned or have had a cough that won’t go away. If there is anything worrisome on chest x-ray, you might undergo a bronchoscopy with brushings or a needle biopsy of the area of concern. Some doctors will also get a chest CT. Nothing will actually diagnose cancer other than actual tissue examination (a biopsy of some sort) but your goal should be screening and routine exam and a chest x-ray every 2 years should cover you. If you have respiratory symptoms, you should be seen by a doc right away.

3. 

   atomin on July 31, 2010 at 4:50 pm

   I’ve just heard about Dana! I feel so sorry for her… some ppl aren’t just meant to be happy.

   My father smoke, not much, and worked in a smoke full atmosphere. He died at 46. The first diagnosis was by an X-ray, but that was 34 years ago.

4. 

   Jegan S on July 31, 2010 at 4:50 pm

   Here below are the list of test for Lung Cancer.

   http://www.lungcanceronline.org/tests/index.html

   What are the signs and symptoms of lung cancer?

   Symptoms of lung cancer are varied dependent upon where and how wide-spread the tumor is. A person with lung cancer may have the following kinds of symptoms:

   No symptoms – In up to 25% of people who get lung cancer, the cancer is first discovered on a routine chest x-ray or CT scan as a solitary small mass sometimes called a coin lesion. These patients with small single masses often report no symptoms of lung cancer at the time it is discovered.

   Symptoms related to the cancer – The growth of the cancer and invasion of lung tissues and surroundings may interfere with breathing, leading to symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, and coughing up blood (hemoptysis). If the cancer has invaded nerves, for example, it may cause shoulder pain that travels down the outside of the arm (called Pancoast’s Syndrome) or paralysis of the vocal cords leading to hoarseness. Invasion of the esophagus may lead to difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). If a large airway is obstructed, collapse of a portion of the lung may occur and cause infections (abscesses, pneumonia) in the obstructed area.
   Symptoms related to metastasis – Lung cancer that has spread to the bones may produce excruciating pain at the sites of bone involvement. Cancer that has spread to the brain may cause a number of neurologic symptoms that may include blurred vision, headaches, seizures, or symptoms of stroke such as weakness or loss of sensation in parts of the body.

   Paraneoplastic symptoms – Lung cancers frequently are accompanied by so-called paraneoplastic syndromes that result from production of hormone-like substances by the tumor cells. Paraneoplastic syndromes occur most commonly with SCLC but may be seen with any tumor type. A common paraneoplastic syndrome associated with SCLC is the production of a hormone called adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) by the cancer cells, leading to oversecretion of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands (Cushing’s Syndrome). The most frequent paraneoplastic syndrome seen with NSCLC is the production of a substance similar to parathyroid hormone, resulting in elevated levels of calcium in the bloodstream.

   Nonspecific symptoms – Non-specific symptoms seen with many cancers including lung cancers include weight loss, weakness, and fatigue. Psychological symptoms such as depression and mood changes are also common.
   When should one consult a doctor?

   One should consult a health care provider if they develop the symptoms associated with lung cancer, in particular, if they have:

   A new persistent cough or worsening of an existing chronic cough
   Blood in your sputum
   Persistent bronchitis or repeated respiratory infections
   Chest pain
   Unexplained weight loss and/or fatigue
   Breathing difficulties such as shortness of breath or wheezing

   http://www.medicinenet.com/lung_cancer/page4.htm

The comments are closed.