History and physical examination

As in any disease, before the doctor diagnoses, he will first take the medical history and exam the patient. Subsequent investigations will be taken to confirm the diagnosis. 

Chest x-rays are valuable in the diagnoses of lung cancer. 

Sputum cytology 

In some cases, examination of the sputum under the microscope may reveal cancer cells. Cancer cells may be coughed up from the lungs or airways. 

Bronchoscopy

A fibre-optic tube is passed through the nose or mouth into the trachea to the airways or bronchi. Suspicious-looking growth can be biopsied (a small piece of tissue is taken for examination under the microscope) to confirm cancer. 

C.T. scans

Computerized tomography scans are x-ray beams that rotate around the body to produce series of x-rays taken from different angles. The information is then processed by a computer to produce a complete picture or a cross-section of a part of the body. 

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging can build composite 3-dimensional images of sections of the body. 

Thoracotorny

An operation is done when the surgeon believes that the cancer is present and investigations cannot locate the site of the cancer.