Physical Examination:

When the signs and symptoms of the lung cancer start to appear in the patient, he undergoes a physical exam. A physician may demand a sample of sputum that is a matter from lungs and throat , spit out from the mouth.   This sample is tested in the laboratory to find out the presence of bacteria, other infectious organisms, or cancer cells. Sometimes the doctor comes to know about the causes of lung cancer in this exam. If this test doesn’t provides some useful information of cancer , a doctor proceeds with the other tests.

Here is detail of these:

Chest Radiograph:

It is an x-ray through which the doctor detects a localized mass in the lungs.

Computed Tomography / CT scan:

In this imaging process used in the diagnosis of Lung cancer , in which  the cross-sectional images are created with a computer attached with an x-rays machine.

MRI Scan:

Through MRI scan, the clear cut images of inside areas of body are produced with the help of a magnetic field that is linked to a computer.  The purpose of this test is  to determine the location and extent of lung cancer.

Bronchoscopy:

Bronchoscopy is performed by a Pulmonologist who is a specialist of respiratory disease. The windpipe and lung branches are examined with the mean of a flexible scope. Different tests may be combined with this test  such as biospsy; removal of tissue for microscopic examination , brushing ; a small brush-like device is employed for collection of cell from the tissue lining the respiratory system  or  cell analysis ; the washing  of respiratory tissues.

Needle biopsy:

In case the result of bronchoscopy is negative then doctor performed the needle biopsy under CT-guidance.  During fine needle aspiration (FNA), a slim hollow needle is linked to the syringe and then this syringe is inserted to the suspected mass. In order to get the sample of tissue from that mass , needle is moved  first forward and afterwards backward.

Core biopsy is administered with the mean of a large-bore needle to obtain a tissue sample for analysis.

Bone Scan:

The purpose of this scanning is to pinpoint the metastasis to the bone. In metastasis, cancerous cells break away from the tumor side and spread or growth in other parts of the body.

Many people think that cigarette smoking is the only cause of lung cancer, but in reality, the causes of lung cancer is not limited to the cigarette smoke, but the smoke from pipes and cigars are also the leading causes of lung cancer.

Other than active smoking, one of the major causes of lung cancer is the passive smoking. This occurs when a person does not actually smoke, but stays or lives in the vicinity of the person who smokes. Family members and colleagues of the people who smoke are all passive smokers, if they inhale the smoke and have a high risk of getting lung cancer.

If you would like to get beyond the smoking for learning about the causes of lung cancer, then asbestos dust is one of the main causes of lung cancer. A person who is exposed to the dust from asbestos in industries where the asbestos is made or in places where this sheet is used, are all prone to get lung cancer. In fact if a person is not only a smoker but is exposed to asbestos, then the risk of being affected by lung cancer increases greatly.

Radon gas is one of the other causes of lung cancer. This gas occurs in the environment when the Uranium is used up. The Uranium is used in many military installations for the use in nuclear weapons.

People who are having one of their family members being affected by lung cancer will also be at a high risk for being affected by lung cancer. This is called as familial predisposition and this can be one of the major causes of lung cancer.

Lung disorders: Many people who have been suffering from various forms of lung disorders like chronic pulmonary disorders are also having a high risk of being affected by cancer because these lung diseases can cause damage to the lung tissues and make them to function abnormally which can be one of the causes of lung cancer.

Air pollution is also one of the causes of lung cancer. A person who is living in an area where there is a lot of pollution can be affected with cancer. The pollution because of different kinds of gases can lead to difficulty in breathing and also inhalation of these dangerous gases and this can, in turn, lead to lung cancer.