Commonly used information about non-small cell lung cancer

by Specialist

Non-small cell lung cancer is a disease caused by the formation of malignant (cancerous) cells in the tissues of the lungs.

Lungs are a pair of cone-shaped breathing organs located in the chest cavity. When you breathe in, the lungs bring oxygen into the body. When you breathe out, the lungs release carbon dioxide, a waste product produced by the body’s cells. Each side of the lung is made up of lobes. The left lung has two lobes. The right lung is slightly larger than the left lung and has three lobes. The passages called bronchi on each side extend from the trachea to the left and right lungs. Lung cancer can sometimes involve the bronchi. The interior of the lungs consists of tiny air sacs called alveoli and small tubes called fine bronchioles.


Chest x-ray. x-rays are used to take pictures of organs and bones of the chest. x-rays pass through the patient’s body and map the images onto film. onto the film.
  • CT scan (CAT scan): A process in which the internal areas of the body, such as the chest, are scanned from different angles and made into a series of detailed images. These images are produced by a computer that is connected to an x-ray machine. A contrast agent may be administered orally or intravenously to make the tissue and organs more visible. This procedure may also be called computed tomography, computed tomography, or computed axial tomography.
  • Sputum cytology: A pathologist looks at a sample of sputum (mucus coughed up from the lungs) under a microscope to check for the presence of cancer cells.
  • Thoracentesis: The fluid between the lining of the chest cavity and the lung is extracted with a puncture needle. The pathologist looks at the fluid sample under a microscope to look for cancer cells.

    If lung cancer is suspected, a biopsy is done.

    One of the following types of biopsies is usually used:

  • Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the lung: Tissue or fluid from the lung is aspirated from the lung with a fine needle. The abnormal tissue or fluid in the lung can be localized using CT scan, ultrasound, or other imaging modalities. A small incision is made in the skin through which the needle for the biopsy can be inserted into the abnormal tissue or fluid. The needle aspirates some of the sample that is sent to the laboratory. The pathologist can then look at the sample through a microscope and check for the presence of cancer cells. Finally, an x-ray chest is done to make sure there is no pneumothorax.
    Fine needle puncture lung tissue biopsy. The patient lies on a CT table, and the CT scan takes CT images of the inside of the body to help the doctor see where the abnormal lung tissue is located. The biopsy needle is inserted through the chest wall and into the abnormal lung tissue area. A small piece of tissue is removed through the fine needle and examined under a microscope for signs of cancer cells.

    Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an ultrasound combined with endoscopy used to guide FNA biopsies of the lung, lymph nodes, or other areas. An ultrasound endoscope is a thin tube-like instrument with a light source and a viewing lens. A probe at the end of the endoscope emits high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) that are reflected back by the internal tissues or organs to produce echoes. These echoes form an image of the body tissues called a sonogram.

    Ultrasound endoscopy-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy. An endoscope with an ultrasound probe and biopsy needle is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus. The probe reflects sound waves back to the body tissues so that the echoes form a sonogram (computer image) of the lymph nodes near the esophagus. The sonogram helps the physician determine the location of the biopsy needle and thus remove a sample of lymph node tissue. This tissue is examined under a microscope for cancer cells
  • Bronchoscopy: A procedure that looks for abnormal areas by looking at the airways and large airways in the lungs. A bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea as well as the lungs. A bronchoscope is a thin tube-like instrument with a lens and a light source for observation. It may also contain tools to remove tissue, and the removed tissue is examined under a microscope to look for signs of cancer.
    Bronchoscopy. A bronchoscope is inserted into the lungs through the mouth, trachea, and main bronchus to look for areas of abnormality. A bronchoscope is a thin tube-like instrument with a lens and a light source for visualization. It may also have tools for removing tissue. The removed tissue is examined under a microscope to look for signs of disease.
  • Thoracoscopy: A surgical procedure used to examine abnormal areas of organs inside the chest. An incision (opening) is made between two ribs and the thoracoscope is inserted inside the chest cavity. A thoracoscope is a thin tube-like instrument with a lens and light source for visualization. It also contains tools to remove tissue or lymph node samples, and the removed tissue is examined under a microscope to look for signs of cancer. In some cases, this method can also be used to remove parts of the esophagus or lungs. If a specific tissue, organ or lymph node cannot be reached, then open-heart surgery is performed. During this procedure, a large incision is made between the ribs and the chest cavity needs to be opened.
  • Mediastinoscopy: A surgical operation to examine abnormal areas of mediastinal organs, tissues, and lymph nodes. An incision is made at the top of the sternum and the mediastinoscope is inserted into the chest. A mediastinoscope is a thin tube-shaped device with a light source and a lens for visualization. It may also have a tool to remove tissue or lymph node samples, and the removed tissue is examined under a microscope to look for signs of cancer.