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I Was Wondering If You Heard Of A Test Called

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Posted on Fri, 26 Apr 2019
Question: I was wondering if you heard of a test called the Sputum Cytology test to screen for lung cancer and if this is an accurate test.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (55 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Sputum cytology is not used as a screening test for lung cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome in HCM

I can understand your concern

Unfortunately until know there's no approved test as a screening test (in healthy subjects) for lung cancer . Even sputum cytology is not a routine test to detect lung cancer .

However we order to do sputum cytology in cases when we have strong clinical suspicion of lung cancer in a patient with cough with bloody sputum or unexplained chronic cough especially in smokers or ex-smokers.

There is a specific type of lung cancer called BAC in which sputum cytology is very helpful in its diagnosis.

Hope to have been helpful

Regards

Dr.Jolanda
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Jolanda (25 minutes later)
What is the lest invasive way to check for lung cancer? Can I do an MRI since this is less difficult than a CT Scan? In a CT one is more confined. Would an MRI show lung cancer if you did an MRI of your lungs? Would my bloodwork have any raised indicators e.g. WBC RBC?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Read the following

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

The least invasive examination is the chest X ray and the tumor markers such as CEA Ca 19-9 which are blood tests.The normal Hemogram can't detect lung cancer.CT scan is the examination of choice for evaluation of lung cancer not the MRI.
MRI can suspect lung cancer but the CT is conclusive especially in early phases.

Regards

Dr.Jolanda
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Jolanda (59 minutes later)
I have been a pack a day smoker for 25 years. I am 47 years old. If I cannot take a CT Scan should I at least take the sputum cytology test which is possible for me?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Read the following

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

Yes you can however I strongly recommend you to do also a chest X ray.Do them and you can attach me the results and we will discuss again

Regards

Dr.Jolanda
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Dr. Dr. Jolanda

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2003

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I Was Wondering If You Heard Of A Test Called

Brief Answer: Sputum cytology is not used as a screening test for lung cancer Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome in HCM I can understand your concern Unfortunately until know there's no approved test as a screening test (in healthy subjects) for lung cancer . Even sputum cytology is not a routine test to detect lung cancer . However we order to do sputum cytology in cases when we have strong clinical suspicion of lung cancer in a patient with cough with bloody sputum or unexplained chronic cough especially in smokers or ex-smokers. There is a specific type of lung cancer called BAC in which sputum cytology is very helpful in its diagnosis. Hope to have been helpful Regards Dr.Jolanda