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Print ArticleLung Cancer Health Center
Diagnosis & Tests
How is lung cancer diagnosed? What tests will doctors have to perform? Get that vital information in these short, to-the-point articles.
Diagnosis
It's not as simple to diagnose lung cancer as you may think. Here's how it's done.
Tests
Many different tests -- some very sophisticated -- are used to help diagnose lung cancer. This article helps you understand how they’re used.
A chest X-ray is often the first step towards diagnosing lung cancer. Find out what to expect.
A CT scan of the body is often done to see if lung cancer has spread. Find out what to expect.
When a lung tumor is found, a lung biopsy is often performed to evaluate the type of abnormal cells. Find out what to expect, so you’ll be prepared.
Sputum cytology examines mucus for abnormal cells. See how it’s done.
This high-tech test, commonly called a PET scan, can help determine if a lung tumor is cancer.
This procedure helps diagnose and determine the extent of lung cancer. Find out what to expect.
This procedure helps diagnose lung cancer. Find out how to prepare.
A CT scan of the brain is often done to see if lung cancer has spread to the brain.
An MRI scan of the brain may be used to see if lung cancer has spread to the brain.
A bone scan can detect cancer that has spread to the bones.
Some people with lung cancer develop fluid between their lungs and chest wall. This procedure helps remove that fluid, and finds out why it's there. Learn about it here.
