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Last Updated on June 2, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
Lung cancer is a devastating disease that often goes undetected until it reaches advanced stages. Routine blood work is a common medical procedure, leading to questions about its effectiveness in detecting lung cancer. In this article, we will delve into whether lung cancer can be identified through routine blood tests, examining the limitations of such tests and alternative screening methods.
Can blood test diagnose lung cancer?
No. Blood tests alone cannot diagnose lung cancer. However, some findings on blood tests in combination with specific symptoms can raise the suspicion of lung cancer. The main purpose of blood tests in lung cancer is to check whether a person is healthy enough to undergo surgery.
A healthcare professional can perform a complete blood count (CBC) test or blood chemistry test. CBC test determines the count of different blood cells a person has. A person with lung cancer may have altered counts of the blood cells but are usually non-specific and cannot aid in the diagnosis of lung cancer.
Likewise, the blood chemistry test can find anomalies in the organs but these too are nonspecific and do not help with cancer diagnosis. In patients already diagnosed with lung cancer, these tests can raise suspicion of cancer spread to different organs.
What are the limitations of routine blood work in detecting lung cancer?
Routine blood work, which typically includes a complete blood count (CBC) and basic metabolic panel (BMP), is not designed specifically to detect lung cancer. These tests primarily assess general health parameters such as red and white blood cell counts, electrolyte levels, and liver and kidney function. While certain blood markers, such as high levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), have been associated with lung cancer, they lack the specificity to definitively diagnose the disease.
What are the alternative screening methods?
Given the limitations of routine blood work, specific screening methods have been developed to detect lung cancer at an early stage when treatment outcomes are more favorable. Two commonly employed approaches are low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) and molecular biomarker testing.
Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT): Lung cancer show up on a CT scan. LDCT uses a low radiation dose to create detailed images of the lungs, allowing doctors to identify small nodules or abnormalities. This screening method has demonstrated effectiveness in detecting lung cancer at an earlier stage, reducing mortality rates, and increasing treatment options. However, LDCT is not without limitations, including false positives and the potential for overdiagnosis, which must be carefully considered.
Molecular Biomarker Testing: Molecular biomarker testing involves analyzing a patient’s blood or tissue samples for specific genetic mutations or alterations associated with lung cancer. These tests can identify genetic abnormalities, such as EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements, which may guide targeted therapies. While molecular biomarker testing holds promise for personalized treatment, it is typically performed after a lung cancer diagnosis and not as a routine screening tool.
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