How Is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?

I. CT examination

CT, as the most important means to detect lung cancer, is of great significance in the diagnosis of lung cancer. CT can detect lung tumors and determine the size, location and adjacent relationship between tumors and surrounding tissues, providing evidence for subsequent further examination.

Two, PET-CT examination

As a nuclear medicine examination, PET-CT can further characterize the tumor lesions that may exist in the lungs and the whole body. Malignant tumors can show abnormal nuclide concentration, so as to distinguish benign tumors. However, PET-CT can only make further judgment and cannot replace the pathological value.

Three, bronchoscopy

The bronchoscope can enter the atmospheric tract, find the tumor growing in the hilum of the lung, and take the pathological tissue under direct vision, so as to confirm the pathological diagnosis.

Iv. Ultrasonic Bronchoscopy (EBUS-) and Transbronchial needle Aspiration Biopsy (TBNA)

It is to install an ultrasonic probe in front of the bronchoscope, combined with a special needle aspiration biopsy needle, and perform an ultrasound-guided needle aspiration biopsy during the bronchoscopy to avoid mispuncture of large blood vessels. The purpose is to obtain the pathological tissue and confirm the pathological diagnosis.

5. Ct-guided needle biopsy

It is also one of the most commonly used means of definitive pathological diagnosis. Under the guidance of CT, a special needle is used to penetrate the tumor site and capture the tumor tissue.

6. Cytological examination of sputum exfoliation

Sputum of the patient is collected and sent for exhalation cytology examination. If tumor cells can be found in the sputum, it can also be used as the final diagnostic basis for lung cancer.

7. Biopsy pathology of metastatic lesions

If the patient has lesions outside the lung at the time of discovery, for example, swollen lymph nodes on the neck and clavicle, the puncture biopsy of these swollen lymph nodes can also be used for definitive diagnosis. If the puncture pathology finds cancer cells, it can also be used as the final diagnostic basis.

8. Surgical resection of the tumor for examination

Direct surgical resection followed by pathology examination is a therapeutic diagnosis. For patients with high suspicion of lung cancer by other examinations, direct surgical resection can also be performed and pathology examination submitted.