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What Are The Tests To Be Done For Lung Cancer Diagnosis?

Posted on Mon, 3 Aug 2015

Question: Hello

I am a 29 year old relatively healthy male. I recently quit smoking. I estimate my pack year history to be about 7-8.

Out of concern I had an X-ray preformed on my lungs. The x Ray shown no problems.

Is there any other tests I can have preformed on my lungs to rule out any potential lung cancers?

Or is there any other preventative maintenance I can preform?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get done CT thorax and PFT.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Smokers are at increased risk of bronchitis and lung cancer.
Chest x ray is useful in screening of lung cancer.
But it is not 100% accurate. If nodule size is less than 1cm or nodule is behind the bony structures like ribs, clavicle etc or behind heart, than chest x ray can not pick up this small nodule.
So for 100% accurate results better to get done CT thorax. If this is normal then no need to worry for lung cancer.
For bronchitis screening, get done PFT (Pulmonary Function Test).
If this is normal then no need to worry for bronchitis.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 minutes later)

How urgent is it to get a CT Thorax done?
I've been told at my age I may not be able to have a ct scan preformed as screening for lung cancer in Canada begins at a much later age

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
At your age chest x ray is sufficient.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
Yes, you are right about age. Usually CT thorax is required for screening of lung cancer after the age of 40 years.
So at your age, CT is not advised.
But you asked about other tests, so I wrote about CT.
So no need to get done CT thorax.
But get done PFT to rule out bronchitis, because smokers tend to have subclinical bronchitis (small airway disease). And it is the first sign of development of COPD in later stages of life.
So please let me know
1. Since how many years you are smoking?
2. Have you ever get done PFT?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)

Thanks Doc

I have never done a PFT.

I have smoked on and off again for approx 13 years. Sometimes I would go months will barley smoking other times I would smoke around 2-3 packs a week. I estimate my pack year history to be around 7.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have cough or breathlessness?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
Please let me know whether you are having cough, expectoration or breathlessness on exertion.
And get done PFT to quantify your lung functions.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

As of now I have no constant or lingering cough, and breathlessness has not been an issue

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry much.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
It's good that you are not having cough and breathlessness.
Please let me know
1. Do you have morning time cough? I am asking this because morning cough is characteristic of smoker's cough.
2. Do you have expectoration(mucus) in the morning while breashing?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar