Among women, lung cancer is fast catching up with breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer related deaths. A telescopic tube is passed down along the respiratory tree .This instrument also has the facility to remove tissues for sample which helps in confirming the disease. Sometimes tissue samples may have to be taken directly from the lung itself through the chest region using a wide gauge needle. This procedure is called thoracotomy. For checking on deeper structures of the lung a procedure known as mediastinscopy is done.
Radio therapy is used occasionally for long term control of disease.
High dose radiotherapy enhances survival. Although we are able to identify several triggering factors, we still cannot convincingly call them as causes. Many other factors such as the genetic make up of the individual, his environment, diet, etc can still alter the occurrence of the disease. Distant spread to brain, bone, liver etc.