CT scan with contrast. A CT scan is a test that uses x-rays and a computer to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body. It takes pictures from different angles. The computer puts them together to make a 3 dimensional (3D) image. CT (or CAT) stands for computed (axial) tomography. Doctors can use a CT scan to look for lung cancer. It ...

Needle biopsy through the skin for lung cancer . This test is also called a percutaneous lung biopsy. A doctor called a radiologist takes a sample of lung tissue by passing a needle into the lung. They use a CT scanner or ultrasound to ensure they know the right place to take the sample. You have this test with a local anaesthetic. It takes ...

Planning radiotherapy for lung cancer. Radiotherapy uses high energy x-rays to kill cancer cells. The radiotherapy team plan your external radiotherapy before you start treatment. This means working out the dose of radiotherapy you need and exactly where you need it. Your planning appointment takes from 15 minutes to 2 hours. The planning CT scan

A surgical biopsy of the lung can help diagnose lung cancer. You might have this test if: a CT scan has shown an abnormal area in your lung or airways; the area is difficult to sample because of its position; What do I need to do to prepare for a surgical biopsy? Most people will attend a pre assessment clinic 1 to 2 weeks before the test.

The treatment for small cell lung cancer is different to the treatment for non small cell lung cancer. Non small cell lung cancer If you have surgery . If you are fit enough, you usually have surgery to remove. part of your lung (a lobectomy, segmentectomy or wedge resection) all of the lung (pneumonectomy), depending on where the cancer is

have had a chest x-ray that shows you might have lung cancer; have had a normal chest x-ray but your GP thinks you might have lung cancer; have a history of being in contact with asbestos and recently started to have chest pain, or shortness of breath, or unexplained symptoms and have an abnormal x-ray; Other symptoms

It usually takes between 45 and 60 minutes. You will be in the department for at least an hour beforehand. This is because you have the injection of the radioactive tracer before the scan. PET scans are often combined with CT scans to produce more detailed images. These are called PET-CT scans. You can also have an MRI scan with a PET scan.

This might not be cancer but scar tissue left over from the cancer killed off by your treatment. A PET-CT scan can sometimes show whether this tissue is active cancer or not. Preparing for your PET-CT scan. For most PET-CT scans, you need to stop eating about 4 to 6 hours beforehand. You can usually drink water during this time.

Lung cancer screening uses a low dose CT (Computed Tomography) scan to take a detailed picture of your lungs. This may take place on the same day or at a later date. If the health professional finds problems with your breathing or lungs, but you don’t need a scan, they may refer you to your GP or another specialist.

Secondary lung cancer is when a cancer that started somewhere else in the body has spread to the lung. Where a cancer starts is called the primary cancer. If some cancer cells break away from the primary cancer, they can move through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to another part of the body forming a new tumour.