Diagnosis of lung cancer

Abstract

Primary lung cancer is usually diagnosed in patients referred for occurrence of symptoms. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to choose the best diagnostic strategy. Diagnostic assessment has two main objectives: to define the pathological type of the tumour, and to stage the disease. Minimal diagnostic procedures include chest X-ray, thoracic CT scan with sections on the adrenals, fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and abdominal ultrasound. Other relevant procedures depend on the clinical and anatomical presentation of the disease. Improvement of lung cancer prognosis should not only rely on therapeutic advances but also focus on achieving early diagnosis of the disease.