Examination methods for small cell lung cancer

How to check for small cell lung cancer? Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for about 20% to 25% of lung cancer. According to recent epidemiological data, this type has been on a downward trend. Small cell lung cancer is the most malignant lung cancer with the worst prognosis. Treatment is a comprehensive treatment based on chemotherapy, including radiotherapy, surgery, traditional Chinese medicine and immunotherapy. The disease is very harmful to the patient's body, so if you find symptoms of the disease in your daily life, you need to diagnose it early and treat it in time. Chest X-ray examination is the simplest, easiest and cheapest examination method.

How to detect small cell lung cancer?

Chest CT: It can show lesions that cannot be found by ordinary X-ray examinations, and show the range and degree of involvement of the hilar lymph nodes and mediastinum.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): It is not as good as CT in detecting small lung lesions, but it can more clearly show the relationship between the tumor and large blood vessels. When determining whether there is intracranial metastasis, enhanced MRI is the first choice.

Positron emission tomography (PET): Whole-body PET is significantly more accurate than CT and radionuclide bone scanning in identifying lung masses, lymph nodes, or distant metastases.

Sputum cytology examination: The positive rate is related to the location and size of the tumor, the quality of the sputum, whether there is concurrent infection, etc. The detection rate of central lung cancer is higher, but it is difficult to determine the type, and it is currently not recommended.

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy: It can observe the location, size and extent of the tumor infiltrating the bronchial cavity, and obtain tissue for pathological examination. Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) is a new technology. For lesions with only airway compression but no intracavitary tumors, this examination can help clarify the extent of the lesion and improve the accuracy of transmural biopsy.

Percutaneous lung biopsy: It is performed under CT guidance. The biopsy positive rate is as high as 90%. If the tumor contains a large amount of necrotic area, it is often false negative.

Mediastinoscopy: For cases that are difficult to diagnose with conventional methods, mediastinoscopy and biopsy can be considered. It is of great diagnostic significance for upper mediastinal lymph node metastasis or anterior mediastinal lymph node invasion.

Thoracoscopic and open-chest biopsy: Thoracoscopic or open-chest exploratory biopsy may be considered for peripheral lesions, mediastinal lesions, or pleural lesions that are difficult to diagnose.