Lung cancer laboratory tests

Laboratory tests for lung cancer include:

(I) X-ray examination Chest X-ray examination is the most basic imaging diagnostic method for lung cancer. It is necessary for diagnosis, differential diagnosis, staging and follow-up. The anteroposterior and lateral views of the chest are the most commonly used X-ray examinations, which can obtain a lot of valuable information and make a preliminary diagnosis. On the basis of the anteroposterior and lateral views, the following supplementary examinations can be performed if necessary.

1. When there is an uncertain shadow on the chest X-ray, fluoroscopy can rotate the patient's position to determine the location of the lesion, and can also understand the mobility of the diaphragm. For example, phrenic nerve paralysis causes diaphragmatic immobility, resulting in elevation of the diaphragmatic top or contradictory movements of the left and right sides of the diaphragm during breathing.

2. Expiratory radiography can detect localized emphysema caused by early central lung cancer.

3. Tomography is divided into lesion tomography and bronchial tomography. Lesion tomography is used to show the internal structure and edge contour of the lesion. There are two types of bronchial tomography, which are mainly used to show bronchial wall infiltration and thickening, extra-bronchial masses, etc. Bronchial tomography sometimes shows lesions in the bronchial cavity better than CT; the combination of the two is of great significance for the diagnosis of central lung cancer.

4. Digital chest photography can adjust the grayscale on the monitor to suit the contrast of the lungs, mediastinum or bones for observing the above different structures.

(ii) CT scan CT can detect light shadows of density that cannot be found on ordinary chest plain films, or tumors in relatively hidden parts. It can be helpful for cases that are difficult to diagnose.

(III) Repeated tumor cytological examination of sputum, pleural effusion and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (bronchoscope) brushings can increase the positive rate.

(iv) Bronchoscopy can directly observe cancer and suspicious tissues, and perform brushing or lung biopsy.

(V) Lung biopsy, such as lymph node biopsy and puncture, transthoracic lung puncture, bronchoscopic and thoracic lung biopsy, etc. Biopsy can be used for pathological examination to determine lung cancer and pathological type.

(VI) Video-assisted thoracoscopy Video-assisted thoracoscopy is a new examination method developed in recent years. The thoracoscope is inserted through the appropriate part of the chest wall. Under the guidance of the TV, biopsies can be performed on the peripheral lesions of the lungs and lesions on the pleura, as well as on the lymph nodes of the mediastinum. Therefore, it plays an important role in the diagnosis and correct staging of lung cancer, especially for pleural effusion. When the cytological examination of the pleural effusion extracted by thoracentesis shows a negative result, it is helpful for further confirmation of the diagnosis.

7) Immunological examinations such as increased carcinoembryonic antigen.

(VIII) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the latest medical imaging diagnostic technology developed in the 1980s. It is a harmless examination that forms images based on the strength of the reaction of the tissues and organs to the magnetic field. It can perform three-dimensional scanning in sagittal, coronal and transverse sections. Its disadvantage is that it is not as good as CT in detecting small lesions near the diaphragm that are close to large tumors. In addition, it cannot show calcified tumor lesions.

(IX) Isotope lung scanning: 131I, 99Technetium, 113Molybdenum are commonly used for lung perfusion scanning. In China, 67Gallium has also been used for isotope tumor affinity scanning. The former is better for central lung cancer, while the latter has a higher diagnostic value for peripheral lung cancer.

(X) Lymph node biopsy: Supraclavicular lymph node and anterior scalene fat pad excision biopsy is a diagnostic technique for advanced lung cancer. If a positive finding is found, surgical intervention will be abandoned.