Lung cancer is often diagnosed late because early disease may produce very few symptoms. That is why timely screening becomes important for people at high risk.
Dr Sharma explains that the first step is usually a Low-Dose CT (LDCT) scan, which is currently considered the best screening tool for eligible high-risk individuals because it can detect very small lung nodules.
Doctors may also recommend chest X-rays, PET-CT scans and other imaging tests to understand whether the disease has spread.
However, imaging alone cannot confirm cancer.
“A definitive diagnosis always requires a tissue biopsy, where a small sample of lung tissue is collected using a bronchoscopy or a needle biopsy to confirm the presence of cancer cells. Finally, these biopsy samples undergo advanced biomarker testing to analyze specific genetic mutations.”
Those genetic tests have transformed lung cancer treatment over the past decade. Instead of giving every patient the same medicines, doctors can now personalise therapy based on the tumour’s molecular profile.
Treatment may include:
Surgery for early-stage disease
Chemotherapy
Targeted therapy for cancers carrying specific genetic mutations
Immunotherapy for eligible patients
Radiation therapy, including highly precise techniques such as Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT)
Many patients today live significantly longer than was possible a decade ago because treatment has become increasingly personalised.