The Sensitivity, The Specificity Of Computed Tomography

What are lung cancers? Lung cancers are the abnormal cells which grow in uncontrolled manner in one or both lungs. They do not function as normal lung cells and do not develop into healthy lung tissue. The abnormal cells can grow, form tumours and interfere with the normal functions of the lung (Lungcancer.org, 2015). Lung cancers can be divided into two major types, namely non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancers (SCLC). NSCLC can be further classified into three main subtypes, namely adenocarcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma and large-cell carcinoma (Longo & Harrison, 2012). Lung cancers can be diagnosed by chest X-ray, computerised tomography (CT) scan, positron emission tomography-computerised tomography (PET-CT) scan, bronchoscopy and biopsy (Nhs.uk, 2015). Unfortunately, lung cancers are often diagnosed at the later stages. This is due to the unrecognisable symptoms and warning signs at the earlier stages. NSCLC are often diagnosed at stage IV which accounts for 30-40% of cases whereas 60% of SCLC is diagnosed at stage IV. Lung cancer usually originates from the cells lining the bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli. Carcinogens especially tobacco smoke will alter the gene expression of the normal human lung cells, resulting in cell mutation. The proto-oncogenes will be converted to mutated form, oncogenes. Mutation leads to the decreased expression of the tumour suppressor genes. This results in uncontrolled cell proliferation, cell

A doctor can diagnose lung cancer through many tests. The doctor can have x-rays and CAT scans done to see what the inside of the lungs look like. By doing this that doctor is able to see what stage the cancer is in. A doctor may also do a test called a bronchoscope. This test allows the doctor to look inside the bronchial tubes and biopsy the tumor. The doctor then can take a small amount of the cells to study them to determine if the unusual cells are cancerous. If the cells turn out to be cancerous then the patient is in for many months even years of harsh treatment.

VeriStrat® is a blood-based predictive and prognostic proteomic test for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who test negative for EGFR mutations (EGFR wild-type) or for those whose EGFR mutation status is unknown. VeriStrat® was presented in April 2012, at the 3rd European Lung Cancer Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The VeriStrat® test was validated through a retrospective analysis, which was performed on serum samples from advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with the combination therapy of Avastin and plus erlotinib. The VeriStrat® test was able to identify

Computed tomography is used in the emergency setting, but it is not useful in predicting short- or long-term outcomes in sports related concussion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more sensitive than CT, but the correlation between focal structural lesions detected by conventional MRI is controversial since T1- or T2-weighted MRI images may not be sensitive to the neuropathology of milder injuries There has been increasing interest in diagnosing and prognosticating after concussions using susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

The topic that was picked for this Pathophysiology paper is lung cancer. This topic was picked because a lot of people in the United States smoke but why? When this most likely will happen. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States including both men and women. The American cancer society estimates 186,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year and more than 165,000 deaths are because of it. The biggest cause of Lung Cancer relating it too 85% of cases is tobacco smoke, because of the repeated exposure to the inhaled substance. And don’t forget about second hand smoke! (Ignatavicius- workman Medical surgical nursing book 7th edition) First this paper is going to tell what to assess for in a patient

When waxy materials accumulate and build up inside the coronary arteries it is makes substance called plaque, this plaque is one of the main causes for chronic heart diseases (CHD).

The topic of the debate is whether computed tomography (CT) should be used as a screening tool annually for lung cancer. In other words, does the risk of radiation during CT screening outweigh the benefit of diagnosing lung cancer? Our group’s main argument for the pro side was using the study, which displayed the effectiveness of screening. From the 31,567 asymptomatic individuals screened, 412 of them actually had lung cancer. When treated they had a 10-year survival rate of 88%. This demonstrated that there is a higher survival rate when the cancer is detected in clinical stage I, in which the cancer is curable. Before the research I had a neutral standing for the argument because of lack of knowledge on the topic.

Lung cancer occurs due to cells in a person’s lungs that multiple at a rapid pace, which form a malignant tumor. These tumors in the lungs take away important necessities such as oxygen, and nutrients; diminishes the ability of the tissue to properly function. One of the most type of common lung cancers is Adenocarcinoma, which make up to forty percent of these cases. Smoking is the primary reason for Americans to be diagnosed with lung cancer, with a cigarette containing more than 4,000 chemicals that have permanent damage to the lungs causing long term effects (Conrad 2016).

Computed tomography (CT) is one of the most important tools in diagnostic imaging, but is it safe? While CT scanning is extremely accurate in its ability to image bone, blood vessels and soft tissue, a single CT scan subjects the human body to between 150 and 1,100 times the radiation of a conventional x-ray (Storrs, 2013). Since Robert S. Ledley invented the CAT-Scan in 1975, researchers have been working hard to determine if CTs may increases a patient’s risk of getting cancer due to the dramatic increase in radiation.

FDG- PET/CT is a forefront in lung cancer screening, staging and treatment monitoring; its utilization may positively impact and improve the lives of patients diagnosed with lung cancer. This paper will investigate the efficacy of FDG- PET/CT in comparison to other screening tests, in the non-invasive evaluation of lung

Size of the lung masses of inadequate sample groups (37.7±5.3) were significantly smaller statistically (p value=0.01) compared to the group where sample was adequate (54.69±3.49). This is in agreement with the study by Guimarães et al In this study, lesions with diameters equal to or larger than 40 mm supplied larger amounts of adequate material for analysis than lesions with diameters of less than 40 mm. This study also stated that the superior lobe lesions supplied a proportionally larger amount of adequate material for analysis when compared with other locations. However this finding was not noted in my study. Layfield et al. reported that the location of thoracic lesions affect the sample adequacy of CT guided FNAC of the lung lesions, with peripheral and larger lesions providing more adequate sample. However Yankelevitz et al. & Guimarães et al23 both showed that the distance between the lesion and the pleural surface did not influence the probability of obtaining adequate sample. In my study also, there was no statistically significant difference in obtaining adequate material between the peripheral and deep seated

Lung cancer diagnosis for each patient was confirmed by pathology and/or cytology, as defined by the WHO classification, and classified according to the 2010 UICC TNM system (12). We reviewed patient records to evaluate the indications and outcomes. DM was defined by an FPG level ≥ 126 mg/dL, a non-FPG level ≥ 200 mg/dL, or an HbA1c level ≥ 6.5%. Patients currently taking or having taken medications for diabetes were also defined as having DM.

Regression of the previously enlarged nodes from 3cm to 1.5cm were shown in each CT Scan, previous lung nodules were invisible on both the left & right lungs.

If Lung Cancer is suspected a few other tests can be used in conjunction to make a final determination of lung cancer

If given the chance, would you save 20,000 lives or more a year? To answer this question, lives could be saved with computed tomography screenings, or CT screenings. These screening are used to detect lung cancer in the earliest stages out of four stage. Every day, there is patients who continue living life undetected for lung cancer, and due to this, they have a chance to end up in a troubling stage four lung cancer. Stage four lung cancer is one that cannot be stopped any longer. The person’s life could be prolonged, but they cannot cure it forever. Whereas smokers are the main target for lung cancer screening, non-smokers should get screenings as well. The American Cancer Society considers lung cancer a cause of smoking tobacco products, but they are not 100 percent sure that smoking is the only cause for lung cancer. Many sources believe, however, that the only focus of CT screenings should be the patients who smoke. But a number of patients who don’t smoke, that have lung cancer die as well, whether they are a second hand smoker or a non-smoker. Smokers and non-smokers alike deserve to have a chance with the screening for lung cancer.