What does staging include?
Usually a diagnosis of cancer is confirmed by a lung biopsy. During this procedure, we take a tissue sample to be able to examine it under a microscope. The procedures used for this purpose are the following:
- puncture of the lump with a needle through the chest wall
- a bronchoscopy
- an operation aiming at obtaining a tissue sample
If the suspicion is confirmed, we determine the type and the fine tissue type of the tumour. In particular, is it important to know whether a small-cell or a non-small-cell carcinoma is present.
Additional molecular tests give us precise information about the genetic profile of the tumor.
We also examine whether the tumour is restricted to the lungs or whether it has already metastasised (classification into tumour stages). Corresponding examinations are for example a PET-CT, a MRI or CT of the head, a skeletal scintigraphy or specific X-ray examinations.
Individual and fast diagnostic
Due to the close cooperation with our colleagues in private practice and the lung specialists at our Lung Cancer Center, the necessary diagnostics can be excellently coordinated and performed quickly.
This provides us with a comprehensive basis for decision-making and enables us to determine the best possible therapy strategy for each patient according to the extent of the disease and their individual symptoms as part of of our tumour conference.