What differential diagnosis is needed for lung cancer? These tests are often done to diagnose lung cancer

With the continuous deterioration of the environment and the increasing number of smokers in my country, lung cancer has become a common malignant tumor, and it is difficult to cure. Once the disease is found, it is generally diagnosed as advanced lung cancer. Lung cancer has many manifestations and is easily confused with the following diseases. Let's listen to the experts' introduction below:

1. Tuberculosis

(1) Pulmonary tuberculoma: more common in young patients, develops slowly, and is often asymptomatic. The lesions are often located in the site of tuberculosis (the posterior segment of the upper lobe tip or the dorsal segment of the lower lobe). The lesions have clear boundaries and uneven density. Calcification points can sometimes be seen, and there are often other scattered tuberculosis lesions in the lungs. If cavities are formed, they are mostly central cavities with regular walls.

(2) Hilar lymph node tuberculosis: Hilar masses on X-rays may be misdiagnosed as central lung cancer. Hilar lymph node tuberculosis is more common in adolescents, often with fever and other symptoms of tuberculosis infection and poisoning, and rarely with hemoptysis. Anti-tuberculosis treatment is effective.

(3) Miliary tuberculosis: It is easily confused with diffuse bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. Miliary tuberculosis occurs at a younger age and is common in young people. Systemic toxicity symptoms are obvious. Anti-tuberculosis drug treatment can improve symptoms and the lesions will gradually absorb. It is not difficult to make a differential diagnosis based on comprehensive judgment of clinical and laboratory data.

2. Lung inflammation

(1) Bronchopneumonia: Obstructive pneumonia caused by early lung cancer is easily misdiagnosed as bronchopneumonia. Bronchopneumonia develops suddenly, and patients often have high fever and cough up a lot of yellow sputum. X-ray films show flaky or spotted shadows with blurred boundaries, uneven density, and not limited to one lung segment or lobe. After 2-4 weeks of anti-inflammatory treatment, symptoms improve and lung shadows absorb faster.

(2) Lung abscess: It should be differentiated from cancerous cavities. Lung abscess has an acute onset and has obvious infection symptoms in the acute phase, including chills, high fever, cough, and coughing up a large amount of purulent and smelly sputum. On X-rays, the cavity wall is thin, the inner wall is smooth, there is often a fluid level, and there are inflammatory changes around it. Bronchography shows that the cavity is often filled and is often accompanied by bronchiectasis.

(3) Bronchiectasis: Tumors growing in the lower lobe bronchus can cause obstructive pneumonia, coughing, expectoration, and blood in the sputum. When there is a shadow of lower lobe inflammation on the X-ray, it must be distinguished from bronchiectasis. However, the cough of bronchiectasis lasts longer; while the course of obstructive pneumonia caused by tumors is shorter. The diagnosis can be made by combining bronchography.

3. Mediastinal lymphosarcoma: It can be confused with central lung cancer. Mediastinal lymphosarcoma grows rapidly, and clinically, fever and superficial lymphadenopathy in other parts are common. Respiratory symptoms such as sputum and blood in sputum are rare. It is highly sensitive to radiotherapy - the mass can be seen to shrink after a small dose of radiation. Mediastinoscopy is also helpful in making a clear diagnosis.

4. Other benign lung tumors: such as hamartoma, fibroma, chondroma, etc. can also cause bronchial obstruction and mass shadows in the lungs. However, benign lung tumors generally have a long course, grow slowly, and are mostly asymptomatic clinically; on X-rays, the edges are clear, the density is uniform, and there is no lobulation.

The above introduction shows that lung cancer is easily confused with other lung diseases. Hopefully, it will help you better diagnose lung cancer. Do not misdiagnose the disease as other simple lung diseases and delay the best treatment time. Going to a regular hospital for examination can reduce the chance of misdiagnosis. I hope you have a healthy body.