What are the methods for detecting small cell lung cancer?

Small cell lung cancer is a disease that occurs in the bronchi. Small cell lung cancer is divided into different stages. The symptoms of small cell lung cancer in different stages are different, and the examination methods are also different. So let us now learn about the various methods of examining small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer screening methods:

Chest X-ray examination: It is the simplest, most convenient and cheapest examination method.

Chest computerized tomography (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: 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 high, but it is difficult to determine the type, and it is not recommended for use at present. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy: It can observe the location, size and infiltration range of the tumor in 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 scope 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 area of ​​necrosis, 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.

Ultrasound of superficial lymph nodes: SCLC is prone to metastasize to supraclavicular lymph nodes. Ultrasound scanning of the neck, supraclavicular nodes, axillae, etc. is performed to determine the stage of lymph node metastasis.

Abdominal ultrasound, CT or MRI: The liver and adrenal glands are sites where SCLC is prone to metastasis. Patients diagnosed for the first time should undergo abdominal imaging examinations to clarify the staging.