If there is a reason to think you may have lung cancer, your doctor will likely order several tests to determine if cancerous cells are present and rule out other disorders.
A lung biopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool that involves taking a sample of lung tissue to test for cancerous cells and determine a treatment plan, if necessary, based on the results.
A lung biopsy allows the physician to effectively diagnose or rule out lung cancer based on tissue harvested directly from the lung. A biopsy may also be performed in order to diagnose conditions such as Sarcoidosis or Pulmonary Fibrosis or in response to the unclear results derived from other testing procedures.
Image Courtesy of A.D.A.M.
Your doctor can perform a lung biopsy in a more than one way:
You will probably be asked to refrain from eating for several hours prior to your biopsy. In the event that you experience severe chest pain, lightheadedness, difficulty breathing, excessive bleeding from the area of incision or fever, contact your physician immediately.