Lung Cancer And Lung Cancer Screening

06 Apr, 2021

Dr. Rajesh Bollam

Screening

Undergoing regular screening may be a good idea for people with a high risk of developing lung cancer. Screening is with a low-dose CT scan.

The American Lung Association recommend screening if a person meets all the following criteria:

is aged 55–80 years
has a history of heavy smoking (30 pack years, which is one pack per day for 30 years or two packs per day for 15 years)
currently smokes or has quit smoking within the past 15 years

Insurance will often cover this screening if a person is aged 55–80 years and has private health insurance or is aged 55–77 years, has Medicare, and meets all the other criteria.

However, people should check with their insurance company before signing up for lung cancer screening.

BOOK APPOINTMENT

Diagnosis

If a person has any symptoms that could indicate lung cancer or if screening shows something unusual, a healthcare professional will likely recommend some diagnostic tests.

Imaging tests

An X-ray, CT, MRI, or PET scan might reveal areas of lung tissue with cancer.

If the cancer has spread, imaging tests can also reveal changes to bones and other organs. Scans can also help track the progress of treatment.

Tissue sampling

A healthcare professional may wish to take a biopsy to check for cancer cells. They will do this using a fine needle or a bronchoscope.

A bronchoscope is a thin, lighted scope with a camera on the end that enters the lungs through the mouth or nose. A healthcare professional can use it to look for lesions and take samples.

For less accessible lesions, they may use a more invasive surgical procedure, such as thoracoscopy or video-assisted thoracic surgery, to remove lung tissue.

Other samples

Laboratory tests can also reveal whether or not cancer is present in the:

pleural effusion, which is the fluid that collects around the lungs
sputum
blood

This information can help confirm if cancer is present and, if it is, determine its type and stage.

BOOK APPOINTMENT

Add a comment

Your Comment:

Name:

Email address:

Website:

Submit Comment

Lung Cancer And Lung Cancer Screening

Add a comment

Recent Posts