CANCER - Symptoms and diagnosis of lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death due to cancer in 

Australia but there are often no signs during the early stages

There are often no signs for lung cancer during the early stages but symptoms that can develop include:

• Coughing, or for smokers who are used to a consistent cough, a change in the cough or the colour of the phlegm (sputum).
• Aching chest.
• Shortness of breath.
• Weight loss.
• Recurring lung infections.

To diagnose lung cancer a doctor will ask about medical history and conduct a physical examination. Other tests include:

• X-rays, CT, scans and phlegm tests.
• Bronchoscopy – an instrument is passed down the windpipe to allow a specialist to see the lung tissue and take samples.
• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery – used to take tissue samples.
• Computered tomography scan – X-rays are used to build three-dimensional pictures of the body.
• Fine needle aspiration – used to get a small tissue sample.
• Mediastinoscopy – a tube inserted into the neck and to the lymph nodes to check for cancerous cells.
• Fluro-Deoxy Glucose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomographey (PET) Scan – an injection of radioactive material is used to build up a picture of the body.

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/