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Understanding
Lung Cancer -- An Overview
Staging
the Disease
If the
diagnosis is cancer, the doctor will want to learn the stage
(or extent) of the disease. Staging is done to find out
whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to what parts of the
body. Lung cancer often spreads to the brain or bones. Knowing
the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment. Some
tests used to determine whether the cancer has spread include:
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CAT
(or CT) scan (computed tomography). A computer
linked to an x-ray machine creates a series of detailed
pictures of areas inside the body.
-
MRI
(magnetic resonance imaging). A powerful magnet linked to
a computer makes detailed pictures of areas inside the
body.
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Radionuclide
scanning. Scanning can show whether cancer has
spread to other organs, such as the liver. The patient
swallows or receives an injection of a mildly radioactive
substance. A machine (scanner) measures and records the
level of radioactivity in certain organs to reveal
abnormal areas.
-
Bone
scan. A bone scan, one type of radionuclide
scanning, can show whether cancer has spread to the bones.
A small amount of radioactive substance is injected into
the bloodstream. It collects in areas of abnormal bone
growth. An instrument called a scanner measures the
radioactivity levels in these areas and records them on
x-ray film.
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Mediastinoscopy/Mediastinotomy.
A mediastinoscopy can help show whether the cancer has
spread to the lymph nodes in
the chest. Using a lighted viewing instrument, called a
scope, the doctor examines the center of the chest (mediastinum)
and nearby lymph nodes. In mediastinoscopy, the scope is
inserted through a small incision in the neck; in
mediastinotomy, the incision is made in the chest. In
either procedure, the scope is also used to remove a
tissue sample. The patient receives a general anesthetic.
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