Lung Cancer: Diagnostic Techniques

The diagnosis of lung cancer may be suspected on the basis of history, physical examination, or radiographic imaging studies. With rare exceptions, suspicions thus raised must be confirmed prior to the initiation of therapy. Advances in radiographic imaging provide an improved "roadmap" for designing diagnostic efforts. Advances in diagnostic procedures allow an easier, better tolerated, and more complete picture of the presence and extent of disease. A diagnostic algorithm using these advances provides the information necessary to design therapy while minimizing the cost, discomfort, and risk to the patient.