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This article discusses lung masses and their possible causes. It explains the tests commonly used to evaluate a lung mass and make a diagnosis, as well as some of the treatment options.
Lung cancer diagnosis often starts with an imaging test to look at the lungs. If you have symptoms that worry you, a healthcare professional might start with an X-ray. If you smoke or used to smoke, you might have an imaging test to look for signs of lung cancer before you develop symptoms.
Since lung cancer symptoms are similar to many other, more common illnesses, you provider may start by getting blood tests and a chest X-ray. If your provider suspects you could have lung cancer, your next steps in diagnosis would usually involve more imaging tests, like a CT scan, and then a biopsy.
Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for this deadly form of cancer.
Some lung cancers can be found by screening, but most lung cancers are found because they are causing problems. The actual diagnosis of lung cancer is made by looking at a sample of lung cells in the lab. If you have possible signs or symptoms of lung cancer, see your doctor.
The goal of the initial evaluation is to obtain sufficient clinical and radiologic information to guide diagnostic tissue biopsy, staging, and treatment. This review will provide a general overview of the initial evaluation, diagnosis, and staging of patients with suspected lung cancer.
Diagnosing lung cancer is a process that involves not just detecting lung cancer but understanding how much it has spread and testing for biomarkers—information that can help determine your best treatment plan. Lung cancer symptoms are often dismissed as other issues like allergies or a cold.
Biopsies are the most common tool to obtain tissue for diagnosing lung cancer. Depending on where the nodule is located and the patient’s physical condition, the doctor will do either a needle biopsy or a bronchoscopy. During a needle biopsy, the surgeon uses a syringe to remove tissue from the nodule. A CT scan guides the surgeon to the nodule.
If you have symptoms of lung cancer, your provider might first perform a physical exam. They will look for any unusual signs, such as a cough or wheezing, that could indicate lung cancer. Additionally, they may ask about your personal and family medical history.
These X-rays may help evaluate the extent of a lung mass and suggest the likelihood of cancer. A diagnosis of lung cancer, however, requires a biopsy. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be part of the evaluation for a lung mass. It is especially useful in evaluating the brain and bones, but it does not visualize the lung well.