The right diagnosis for the right treatment
 

To know what treatment you need, first you need to have an accurate diagnosis of the precise type of lung cancer you have. If your lung cancer screening or a chest X-ray suggests lung cancer, your doctor might recommend one or more of these tests:

  • Pulmonary function tests to see how well your lung works
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scan to look for signs of cancer in your cells
  • Biopsy to take a sample of lung tissue to test for cancer
  • Thoracentesis to take fluid from around your lungs to test for cancer
  • Bronchoscopy, which uses a flexible, specialized camera to allow your doctor to examine the inside of your lungs

Depending on the location and stage of your cancer, you may need additional tests to ensure you know exactly where cancer is in your body.

When to Get Tested for Lung Cancer

In early stages of lung cancer, you might not have any symptoms. Symptoms like a persistent cough can also look like other conditions, like bronchitis.

But we recommend you talk to your doctor about any of these possible lung cancer symptoms:

  • A cough that won’t go away
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Getting winded quickly
  • Chest pain that won’t go away
  • Coughing up blood
  • Hoarseness
  • Fatigue and feeling tired
  • Getting lung infections like pneumonia over and over
  • Unexplained weight loss

Your doctor might recommend a chest X-ray or any of the tests above to look for possible issues in your lungs.

At Ellis Medicine, we can guide you through the diagnosis process to ensure you get the right care for you. Our experts will talk to you about your test results and answer any questions you have so you can feel confident in your care.

Live-Saving Cancer Care, nearby in your community.

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