9 ways to diagnose lung cancer

In addition to typical clinical manifestations, the diagnosis of lung cancer often requires a combination of one or more of the following diagnostic methods to obtain a clear diagnosis.

1. X-ray examination

Central lung cancer has no obvious X-ray signs in the early stages, but mass shadows or atelectasis may appear in the late stages. Peripheral lung cancer is typically manifested as solitary round or oval mass shadows around the lung field, which vary in size, have rough edges, and are surrounded by short thorn shadows.

2. Sputum cytology examination

The accuracy of finding detached cancer cells in sputum can reach over 80%, and it often requires multiple examinations over several consecutive days.

3. Bronchoscopy

The diagnostic positive rate for central lung cancer is high, the tumor can be seen intuitively, and a biopsy can be taken at the same time.

4. Mediastinoscopy

The diagnostic positive rate for central lung cancer is relatively high, and the lymph nodes under the anterior tracheal carina can be observed and biopsied at the same time.

5. Radionuclide lung scan

After intravenous injection of radioactive nuclides, lung scans are performed, which show radionuclide concentration images at the site of cancer, with a positive rate of up to 90%.

6. Thoracic puncture or tissue examination

This method has a high diagnostic positive rate, but it has complications such as pneumothorax, bleeding, infection, and spread of cancer cells along the needle track.

7. Examination of metastatic lesions or tissues

It is mostly used for advanced patients, and biopsy can be performed on the supraclavicular, cervical, and axillary lymph nodes.

8. Pleural effusion examination

After the pleural effusion is extracted and centrifuged, the precipitate is taken for smear examination to look for cancer cells.

9. Thoracotomy

For patients who cannot be clearly diagnosed and cannot rule out lung cancer, if their general condition is good, they can undergo exploratory thoracotomy, and they should be prepared for treatment before the examination.