Most patients are referred by their GP to the lung cancer service for further investigation.
This may include:
- CT scan - a scan of the chest using x-rays
- PET scan - similar to a CT scan, the patient will be injected with a special glucose, to provide more information about the activity of tissues within the body
- Biopsy - a procedure to obtain a sample of tissue to be further examined
- Bronchoscopy / Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) - an examination of the inside of the lungs using a telescope
- CT or ultrasound-guided biopsy - a tissue sample is taken from an abnormality in the chest, neck, or elsewhere in the body
- Pleural aspiration - sometimes fluid can collect within the chest cavity and this can be drained or sampled with a needle and syringe.
Further information about the above procedures can be found on the NHS website.
Generally, a CT scan can be arranged before your first clinic appointment.
At your first clinic appointment, the doctor will explain the results of your x-rays/CT scans and discuss further investigations that you may need.
Once all necessary investigations have concluded, you will return to the clinic to discuss the results.
