How Does The Doctor Make The Diagnosis? The following tests are all used to diagnose cancer of the lung and your doctor may arrange for you to have one or more of them at the hospital. Bronchoscopy In this test the doctor examines the inside of the lung airways and takes photographs and cell samples (biopsies). The test is usually done as an out-patient treatment but occasionally a general anaesthetic is given and an overnight stay in hospital may be necessary. Mediastinoscopy This test allows the doctor to examine the area at the centre of the chest and the local lymph nodes. The test is done under a general anaesthetic and will mean a short stay in hospital. Lung Biopsy This test is usually done in the X-ray department A local anaesthetic is used to numb the area and then you will be asked to hold your breath while a thin needle is passed through the skin into the lung. An X-ray is used to ensure that the needle is in the right position. A sample of cells is then taken for examination under the microscope. The biopsy is occasionally slightly uncomfortable but it only takes a few minutes. Further Tests If the tests show that you have cancer of the lung your doctor may want to do some of the further tests described below to see if there has been any spread of the disease to other parts of the body. The results help your doctor to decide which is the best type of treatment for you. CT scan (CAT scan) A CT scan is a type of X-ray. A number of pictures are taken and fed into a computer to form a detailed picture of the inside of the body. Ultrasound Scan In this test sound waves are used to make up a picture of the area of the lungs. It will be done in the hospital X-ray department. Ultrasound can be used to measure the size and position of a cancer. It is a painless test and takes only a few minutes. Isotope Bone Scan For this test a radioactive substance is injected into a vein, usually in your arm, and a scan is taken about two to four hours later. More radioactivity goes to abnormal than normal bone and these areas are picked up by the scanner.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 06:52:22 +0000
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