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| Lung Cancer,
Non SmallTests |
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Tests that examine the lungs are used to detect (find),
diagnose, and stage non-small cell lung cancer. |
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X-ray of the chest. X-rays are used to
take pictures of organs and bones of the chest. X-rays
pass through the patient onto film. |
Tests and procedures to
detect, diagnose, and stage non-small cell lung cancer
are often done at the same time. The following tests and
procedures may be used:
- Physical exam and history:
An exam of the body to check general signs of
health, including checking for signs of disease,
such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual. A
history of the patient’s health habits, including
smoking, and past jobs, illnesses, and treatments
will also be taken.
- Chest x-ray: An x-ray of
the organs and bones inside the chest. An x-ray is a
type of energy beam that can go through the body and
onto film, making a picture of areas inside the
body.
- Sputum cytology: A
procedure in which a pathologist views a sample of
sputum (mucus coughed up from the lungs) under a
microscope, to check for cancer cell
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- Fine needle aspiration biopsy:
The removal of part of a lump, suspicious tissue, or
fluid, using a thin needle. A pathologist views the
tissue or fluid under a microscope to look for
cancer cells. This procedure is also called a needle
biopsy.
- Bronchoscopy: A procedure
to look inside the trachea and large airways in the
lung for abnormal areas. A bronchoscope (a thin,
lighted tube) is inserted through the nose or mouth
into the trachea and lungs. Tissue samples may be
taken for biopsy.
- Thoracentesis: Removal of
fluid from the pleural cavity (the space between the
lungs and chest wall) through a needle inserted
between the ribs.
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Lung biopsy. The patient lies on a table
that slides through the computed tomography (CT) machine
which takes x-ray pictures of the inside of the body.
The x-ray pictures help the doctor see where the
abnormal tissue is in the lung. A biopsy needle is
inserted through the chest wall and into the area of
abnormal lung tissue. A small piece of tissue is removed
through the needle and checked under the microscope for
signs of cancer. |
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Bronchoscopy. A
bronchoscope is inserted through the mouth, trachea, and
major bronchi into the lung, to look for abnormal areas.
A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a
light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a cutting
tool. Tissue samples may be taken to be checked under a
microscope for signs of disease. |
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Return to Lung Cancer |
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