Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Tests Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Lung Cancer Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Tests Several tests are available to determine if you have lung cancer. By Julie Lynn MarksMedically Reviewed by Thomas Urban Marron, MD, PhDReviewed: August 17, 2021Medically ReviewedMany early lung cancer diagnoses are caught accidentally, when a person receives an X-Ray for an unrelated reason.Irina Medvedeva/iStockIf you have symptoms or your doctor suspects you might have lung cancer, you’ll need to have certain tests to get a diagnosis. These exams can rule out other conditions and reveal the stage of your disease. Getting an early diagnosis is important because the earlier lung cancer is detected, the better your prognosis. RELATED: Have You Been Screened for Lung Cancer? Lung Cancer Tests To get a lung cancer diagnosis, you may need to have one or more of the following tests: Chest X-Ray Chest X-rays use small amounts of radiation to take a picture inside your chest. They aren’t considered an effective method for lung cancer screening, but sometimes, a tumor might appear on an X-ray you received for another problem. If doctors suspect you have a suspicious spot, you’ll probably need a computerized tomography (CT) scan to confirm the diagnosis. CT Scan This test gives doctors more detailed pictures than chest X-rays. CT scans can detect very small tumors and spots on your lungs. Your doctor can also use CT images to see if your tumor has spread to your lymph nodes. Biopsy For this test, doctors take a small piece of tissue and examine it under a microscope. A biopsy can confirm that a tumor is cancerous and identify what type of lung cancer you have. Your doctor might take a biopsy of the spot on your lung, lymph nodes, or other areas where the cancer has spread. There are several types of biopsies for lung cancer, including:Needle Biopsy A small needle is inserted through your skin to collect tissue or fluid for testing. This type of biopsy is usually performed with the help of CT, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or fluoroscopy.Bronchoscopy A thin tube, called a bronchoscope, is placed through your nose or mouth and inserted into your lungs. A small camera lets doctors see into your lungs and take a sample of tissue with a needle. Sometimes, doctors perform this procedure with a special technology that causes abnormal tissue to light up. This is known as autofluorescence bronchoscopy.Mediastinoscopy Doctors make an incision at the base of your neck and insert surgical tools behind your chest to check for cancer. They can also take samples from lymph nodes.Endobronchial Ultrasound This procedure involves using an ultrasound with a bronchoscope to gather tissue samples.Thoracentesis Doctors use a hollow needle to collect fluid that has formed between the lungs and chest wall. This fluid is tested for cancerous cells.Thoracoscopy During this procedure, doctors make an incision in the chest wall and insert a device with a camera to look inside the lungs and remove tissue. Other Imaging Tests Your healthcare provider might perform other sophisticated imaging tests, such as MRI or positron emission tomography (PET), to get a better look at your tumor and see if your lung cancer has spread throughout your body. These tests can also help doctors stage your cancer. If you have lung cancer your doctor may want to get an MRI of your brain to make sure the cancer has not spread there, because the PET scan cannot look at the brain. Pulmonary Function Tests A pulmonary function test usually involves breathing in and out of a tube to measure your airflow. These tests are sometimes performed after lung cancer is diagnosed to see how well your lungs are working and to determine if you might be a candidate for surgery. RELATED: What Is Low-Dose CT Screening for Lung Cancer? Editor' s Picks 6 Steps to Take After You ve Been Diagnosed With Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung CancerA lung cancer diagnosis can be jarring. Take these steps to help navigate your path towards treatment.…Learn More Lung Cancer ScreeningMany medical organizations recommend lung cancer screening for certain people who are at an increased risk for developing the disease. Screening involves looking for early signs of lung cancer before a person shows any symptoms. Typically, doctors do this by performing a CT scan. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends yearly screening for adults 50 to 80 years old who have a history of smoking at least 20 packs of cigarettes in a year and who currently smoke or have quit smoking within the past 15 years. If you fall in this category, talk to your doctor about whether lung cancer screening is right for you. Coping With a Lung Cancer Diagnosis If your doctor has told you, “You have lung cancer,” you might feel scared and overwhelmed. Here are some ways to help you cope:Communicate with your healthcare team. Tell your doctor if you have any concerns. Also, make sure your entire medical team knows about all your health conditions, so they can work together to give you the best care possible.Look for support. Talking to other people can help you work through your feelings. Organizations such as Lung Cancer Alliance offer a list of support groups in your area.Find a patient navigator. Some hospitals offer trained professionals to help you navigate through your lung cancer journey. These individuals can assist you in sorting out medical, legal, and financial issues. There are also often social workers who can help.Take care of yourself. Eat a healthy diet, get enough rest, and exercise regularly. Being in optimal health can help you get through your treatments and may also boost your mood. RELATED: What Is a Liquid Biopsy for Lung Cancer — and Do You Need One? NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Cancer Care Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking Lung Cancer: Tests and Diagnosis, Mayo Clinic.Diagnosis, Lung Cancer Alliance.Exams and Tests That Look for Lung Cancer, American Cancer Society.Lung Cancer Screening, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Show Less The Latest in Lung Cancer The Price of Being Invisible How One Black Woman Fought for Her Lung Cancer DiagnosisNichelle Stigger thought she had lung cancer. Doctors didn’t believe her. Six months later, she learned she was right.By Susan K. 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