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CancerQuest > Introduction to Patient Information > Introduction to Cancer by Type > Lung Cancer: Introduction > Lung Cancer: Detection and Diagnosis

Lung Cancer: Detection and Diagnosis

Detection
Despite ongoing investigation into screening technology, research shows that lung cancer death rates have not improved. At the time they are diagnosed, the majority of lung cancers have progressed to an advanced state.⁽¹⁾ Lung cancer screening is not currently routine practice.⁽²⁾ The disease is sometimes caught in its early stages by tests that are performed for other reasons. The most common methods of lung cancer detection include:

• chest x-ray
• chest CT (computer tomography) scan,
• bronchoscopy (insertion of a tube into the bronchi), and
• sputum cytology (examination of cells in the phlegm).⁽³⁾

These links will take you to the Detection and Diagnosis section.  Return to view the rest of the lung cancer information.

For more information about cancer detection, refer to the Detection and Diagnosis section.

References for this page:

1. Ganti AK, Mulshine JL. "Lung Cancer Screening." The Oncologist (2006); 11(5):481-7 [PUBMED]
2. Humphrey LL, Johnson M, Teutsch S. Lung Cancer Screening: An Update for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2004 May. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Evidence Syntheses, formerly Systematic Evidence Reviews. [PUBMED]
3. Can non-small cell lung cancer be found early? American Cancer Society. (Accessed October 2010) [http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/LungCancer-Non-SmallCell/DetailedGuide/non-small-cell-lung-cancer-detection]