Can a lung CT scan detect lung cancer?
Feb 17, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Qifeng
Introduction
A lung CT scan can detect lung cancer, and chest CT is one of the primary methods for lung cancer screening. A CT scan of the lungs can identify suspicious signs of lung cancer. In patients with suspected lung cancer, CT findings may include lung shadows such as space-occupying lesions, patchy opacities, obstructive pneumonia, pulmonary nodules, or mediastinal lymphadenopathy. However, definitive diagnosis of lung cancer mainly relies on pathological examination.
Chest CT scans can detect lung cancer and are one of the primary methods for screening lung cancer. However, a definitive diagnosis requires additional tests for confirmation.
CT scans of the lungs can identify suspicious lesions indicative of lung cancer. In patients with suspected lung cancer, CT findings may include pulmonary shadows such as space-occupying lesions, patchy opacities, obstructive pneumonia, lung nodules, or mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Nevertheless, the definitive diagnosis of lung cancer primarily relies on pathological examination. If a lung lesion is suspected to be malignant, further procedures such as percutaneous lung biopsy or bronchoscopic biopsy can be performed to obtain tissue samples for histopathological analysis and confirm the diagnosis. For patients with early-stage lung cancer, early surgical removal of the affected lung tissue is recommended to prevent further harm to the body.
There are various methods available to diagnose lung cancer. When patients experience symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain suggestive of lung cancer, they should seek prompt medical attention. Early detection and timely treatment significantly improve survival rates, whereas survival rates gradually decline as the disease progresses. Additionally, throughout the treatment process, patients should maintain a positive mindset, learn more about the disease, and strengthen their confidence in treatment.
