Return to Search
EN
The diagnosis of lung cancer typically begins when a suspicious mass is identified, often initially detected on a chest X-ray. A comprehensive medical history is then taken, including previous illnesses, tobacco use (cigarettes, pipes, cigars, etc.), occupational or environmental exposures, and a family history of cancer.
If lung cancer is suspected, a sputum cytology examination (microscopic analysis of deep cough sputum from the lungs' mucous membranes) may be requested by the physician. While a simple and potentially useful preliminary test, definitive diagnosis usually requires tissue examination.
To confirm the diagnosis and determine the cancer's specific type (non-small cell or small cell), extent of spread (metastasis), and stage, a biopsy of the lung tissue is essential. Imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) scans are used to precisely locate the mass and guide the most appropriate biopsy method, which may include fine-needle aspiration biopsy or bronchoscopy. The definitive diagnosis of lung cancer is established by pathological examination of the biopsied tissue. In cases where the disease has spread to other organs, biopsies from those sites may also be performed to confirm metastasis. Following diagnosis, the cancer is then staged to guide treatment planning.
Unlike some other cancers, lung cancer is not typically covered by routine population-based screening programs, which contributes to the rarity of its detection in early stages—before it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs. The likelihood of detecting the disease at an early, localized stage is approximately 15%. For cases confined to the lung without lymph node involvement, the 5-year survival rate is around 50%. However, because lung cancer is often diagnosed after it has spread to adjacent organs or distant sites, the overall early detection rate and corresponding survival rates are significantly lower, often falling below 15%. Early diagnosis of lung cancer is therefore more commonly an incidental finding during tests for other health concerns or routine medical check-ups.
How Is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
If lung cancer is suspected, a sputum cytology examination (microscopic analysis of deep cough sputum from the lungs' mucous membranes) may be requested by the physician. While a simple and potentially useful preliminary test, definitive diagnosis usually requires tissue examination.
To confirm the diagnosis and determine the cancer's specific type (non-small cell or small cell), extent of spread (metastasis), and stage, a biopsy of the lung tissue is essential. Imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) scans are used to precisely locate the mass and guide the most appropriate biopsy method, which may include fine-needle aspiration biopsy or bronchoscopy. The definitive diagnosis of lung cancer is established by pathological examination of the biopsied tissue. In cases where the disease has spread to other organs, biopsies from those sites may also be performed to confirm metastasis. Following diagnosis, the cancer is then staged to guide treatment planning.
Unlike some other cancers, lung cancer is not typically covered by routine population-based screening programs, which contributes to the rarity of its detection in early stages—before it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs. The likelihood of detecting the disease at an early, localized stage is approximately 15%. For cases confined to the lung without lymph node involvement, the 5-year survival rate is around 50%. However, because lung cancer is often diagnosed after it has spread to adjacent organs or distant sites, the overall early detection rate and corresponding survival rates are significantly lower, often falling below 15%. Early diagnosis of lung cancer is therefore more commonly an incidental finding during tests for other health concerns or routine medical check-ups.