Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

A diagnosis of lung cancer can be quite devastating to the patient and his family. Lung cancer is one of the most deadly, yet preventable cancers. More people die from lung cancer than breast, prostate and colon cancer combined. Early detection is the key to lengthening life expectancy of lung cancer patients.

Symptoms

• Lung cancer often has no symptoms until it reaches its late stages. Many of its symptoms--coughing, fatigue, loss of appetite, wheezing and hoarseness--mimic symptoms of common illnesses. Coughing up blood and pain in the chest, shoulder and upper back are also symptoms. Early stage lung cancer is usually diagnosed during tests for other conditions, according to Lungcancer.org.

Methods

• Chest X-rays are the most common test physicians order when they suspect lung cancer. Other tests used are computed tomography (CT) scans, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans to detect tumors. A biopsy, which removes a sample of tissue for evaluation, definitively diagnoses lung cancer, according to Lungcancer.org.

Types

• Non-small cell and small cell are the two main types of lung cancer. They get their names from how the cancer cells look when examined under a microscope. About 80 percent of lung cancer is non-small cell. Stages: After lung cancer is diagnosed, doctors determine the stage, or extent. The size of the tumor and whether it has spread determines a cancer's stage. Stage 1 lung cancer has not spread beyond where the tumor is while Stage 4 lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment

• Type and stage of the cancer determines treatment. Treatment includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or a combination.

Misconceptions

• Some people think that lung cancer only affects smokers. About 10 percent of lung cancers are diagnosed in patients are non-smokers, according to the Mayo Clinic. Lung cancer can also be caused by exposure to secondhand smoke. Exposure to asbestos and radon are also risk factors.