Can early diagnosis?
At present there is no evidence that meet the requirements to be considered for early diagnosis of lung cancer in the general population. In 2006 published a study that evaluated the role of CT in smokers as a method of early detection. Although initial results were encouraging, did not increase survival. However, due to the frequency of occurrence of this tumor research efforts to get them do not stop.
How is it diagnosed?
The first step is the realization of the history. It is essential to know the symptoms for the patient comes to the consultation and to investigate whether or not smoking, the type of work done, family history of disease and personal history of another tumor. The second step is the realization of the physical examination of the patient for signs and symptoms that could correspond to the Lung Cancer.
With this information the doctor assesses the need to complete the study with a series of tests. The most common are:
Blood and urine: are the first tests performed. These reforms seek to know the condition of the patient. Whether you have impaired liver or kidney function.
Ray: is a crucial test in the diagnosis of lung cancer. The appearance of nodules or spots on the lung, changes in the mediastinum, or pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid in the pleura) are some suggestive signs of the disease.
Sputum cytology: is to analyze under a microscope the type of cells that exist in the patient’s sputum. This must be collected first thing in the morning three samples. The effectiveness of this test depends largely on tumor size and its proximity to the main bronchi.
Bronchoscopy: is used to examine the trachea and bronchi directly from within them. This is done by introducing a flexible tube called a bronchoscope into the airway. The interior has fiber optic tube that allows specialists to visualize all the way from a TV monitor. It also has a mechanism to take samples of suspicious lesions, and later analyze under a microscope. At other times, when injuries are not visible through the bronchoscope is introduced to wash the area and once aspirated are analyzed under a microscope the cells they contain.
For this test the patient should be fasting. The pulmonologist (lung specialist doctor), before introducing the bronchoscope should numb the area of the throat, larynx, trachea and bronchi. Some people notice a feeling of suffocation when the tube down the throat, but in reality does not occur.
The patient usually has nausea and cough until the area is anesthetized. About two hours after the test, the patient can eat and drink.
Bronchoscopy also provides information on where the tumor sits, the structures that affect …, some interesting data to plan treatments.
Fine needle aspiration: is to get cells from injury by performing a spinal thoracic fine needle, usually controlled by a computerized tomography (CT). This technique is used when the tumor is located in a peripheral area of the chest which is not easily accessible by bronchoscopy. Sometimes there may be a pneumothorax (air flow into the pleural space), which is easily solved.
What more evidence can be made?
Once diagnosed with lung injury, it must determine the extent to both local and distant disease. For this, the doctor will order a series of tests to complete the study:
Scan or CT (Computed Tomography) scanner is an X-ray machine, which makes X-rays of the patient from various angles. These images are combined and processed in a computer to make room for films in which very accurately visualize all organs. This technique is of great importance when making decisions regarding treatment.
It is a painless test that takes place in 20 to 30 minutes, time that it is necessary that the patient remain motionless on the couch of the scanner. In lung cancer is performed in the thoracic, abdominal and / or injury.
Chest CT: It has the advantage of detecting abnormalities not visible on chest radiograph and provide information on the status of the mediastinum (lymph node involvement), chest wall invasion or presence of pleural effusions.
Abdominal CT scan is performed to study the extent of disease to organs like the liver or adrenal glands.
Cranial CT: is used to determine the existence of possible brain metastases (in patients with suspected presence).
Bone scan: is a test used to assess the presence or absence of bone metastases, is bone involvement by tumor cells. It consists of intravenous injection of a radioactive substance (isotope) that is attached to the bone. The areas of bone tumor involvement have captured more of isotopes and are displayed as darker areas.
Positron emission tomography (PET): a novel technique to detect lesions not visible by other means. It involves inserting a contrast with glucose (a type of sugar) that is taken up most avidly by tumor cells than normal cells, so tumor lesions appear as areas marked.
Spirometry: is to evaluate the patient’s lung capacity to blow him. To quantify parameters to see if you can undergo surgery (removing part or all of a lung) without risk.
What to do to decrease the discomfort associated with conducting medical tests?
The proof required to obtain an accurate diagnosis of lung cancer are not painful, although some of them can sometimes be difficult to tolerate.
Some recommendations to make it easier for these tests are:
Go together. Chatting with someone close will help you be more relaxed.
Ask your doctor to explain what will happen. Do not be misled by your imagination.
Focus only on what happens in each moment.
Use a relaxation technique before and during the conduct of the test.
If you’re nervous, tell your doctor. You can give some medication to reduce anxiety about the situation.
Being quiet, relaxed, follow the instructions of a specialist and eliminate negative thoughts from the mind may help you tolerate the tests better.
Tags: Lung Cancer, Lung Cancer Diagnosis, Lung Scan, Pulmonologist
