Diagnostic Services
The first step in treating lung cancer is accurate diagnosis and staging. If your doctor suspects you have lung cancer he may order one or more additional tests.
At Stamford Hospital our patients have access to the most sophisticated imaging technology and diagnostic equipment available including:
Computed Tomography (CT) scan: CT imaging combines special x-ray equipment with powerful computers to produce multiple images of the inside of the body, including the lungs. These cross-sectional images are then analyzed by the radiologist on a high-resolution computer monitor. CT imaging is one of the best and fastest tools for studying the chest, abdomen and pelvis and is the primary means of imaging known or suspected lung cancer.
Positron emission tomography (PET) scan: A PET scan (typically performed in conjunction with a CT scan) is means of assessing the metabolic activity of different tissues in the body. As cancer cells are usually more active than other cells, PET can often help to differentiate benign from malignant tissues. PET scans may be useful in determining the extent of spread of certain cancers, assessing how the cancer responds to treatment, and determining if the cancer has recurred.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: MRI uses magnets and radiofrequency energy (without radiation) to examine your organs, tissues and skeletal system. In patients with lung cancer, MRI can help to determine if the tumor has extended into nearby structures or has spread to bones or brain.
Biopsy: If imaging tests suggest a possible lung cancer, you may be referred for a biopsy. Many lung tumors can be biopsied with minimally invasive procedures including bronchoscopy and fine needle aspiration (FNA). With bronchoscopy, the patient is lightly anesthetized and the doctor guides a thin, lighted tube through the nose and down the air passages to the site of the tumor, where a tiny tissue sample can be removed. With FNA, the radiologist uses a CT scan to localize the tumor and places a small needle through the skin to obtain a sample. If the biopsy confirms lung cancer, other tests will determine the type of cancer and how far it has spread.
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).