How is lung cancer diagnosed?

Procedures for obtaining small tissue samples on which the classification of tumours can be done include needle aspiration, sputum cytology and bronchoscopy – a procedure whereby an instrument with a lens at its tip is placed through the vocal cords into the bronchial tree. Small tissue samples can be obtained under direct vision.

Due to the severe prognostic implications of this disease, patients shouldn't be confronted with the diagnosis before confirmation on tissue or cell samples is finalised.

Once a histological or cytological diagnosis has been made, a process called "staging" occurs, during which the location and size of the tumour in the lungs is determined. Evidence of infiltration of adjacent structures, involvement of regional lymph nodes and distant metastases are considered. This approach enables the treating physician and onchotherapist (tumour specialist) to plan the best therapeutic approach with the lowest side-effect to therapeutic ratio for patients.

Early diagnostic procedures in symptomatic individuals, conducted by radiologists, pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons, who in turn would have been alerted by the general practitioner, is the most effective means of combating this disease. Treatment of advanced disease is frequently only palliative and not curative.