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Lung Cancer: Introduction

Lung Cancer: Detection and Diagnosis

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CancerQuest > Introduction to Patient Information > Introduction to Cancer Detection and Diagnosis > Sputum Samples

Sputum Samples

Sputum is a thick mixture of saliva, mucus and other material that can be brought up from the throat and air passages leading to the lungs. Sputum contains cells and DNA and can be examined for abnormalities, including some that indicate the presence of lung cancer.⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ Although it is not a very sensitive test, examination of cells in sputum is still used to detect lung cancer. In part because of the poor sensitivity of the test, routine screening for lung cancer via sputum samples is not recommended.⁽³⁾

Recent advances have improved the test considerably. The ThinPrep® preparation technique has been shown to provide additional sensitivity.⁽⁴⁾ Research is now being performed to assess the value of looking at fluorescence in body fluids to detect cancer⁽⁵⁾ and to look for the presence of genetic defects and specific genes that could indicate the presence of cancer.⁽⁶⁾⁽⁷⁾

References for this page:

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