Using Bronchoscopy To Diagnose Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

Using Bronchoscopy To Diagnose Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

A bronchoscopy is done for many reasons. Doctors will use this test to inspect the air passages when an abnormality is detected during a normal examination. It is performed with an instrument called a bronchoscope. In most cases, the instrument is flexible, making a local anesthetic sufficient for controlling discomfort. Other times, a stiff bronchoscope is used, requiring a general anesthesia. This latter approach is taken in cases where bleeding is detected, or an object is blocking one of your air passages.

This procedure is often done in an attempt to identify non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after a patient reports symptoms. Below, we'll describe how to prepare for the test, and explain how it is performed. You'll also learn what to expect during and after the procedure, including some of the possible complications.

Preparing For The Bronchoscopy

Prior to undergoing the test, your doctor will discuss the dangers, and inquire about any medications or supplements you are currently taking. The main concern is with drugs that can thin your blood, such as anticoagulants. Doctors typically recommend that such drugs be stopped until the procedure has been completed, at which point their use can be resumed. You will also be expected to avoid eating or drinking for up to twelve hours prior to the test.

How The Bronchoscopy Is Done

The bronchoscope can be passed through your mouth or one of your nostrils. If your doctor wants to inspect the upper air passages, he or she will go through the nose. Because the passage through the mouth is larger, the bronchoscope can also be larger if that route is used. Regardless of the entry point, the instrument is guided down the throat (or trachea) and into the suspected lung. It is equipped with a small camera that delivers images to a monitor studied by your physician.

As the bronchoscope is advanced down your throat, your doctor will pause to inspect your vocal cords. If nothing out of the ordinary is detected, the instrument is directed into the target lung. Your physician will study the bronchi and bronchioles as the bronchoscope is passed through, taking note of any abnormalities along the way. If he or she notices an area that suggests a possibility of lung cancer, a tissue sample can be withdrawn (i.e. a biopsy) through the instrument.

In many cases, the doctor will use a special solution to clean the lung prior to advancing the bronchoscope into it. This solution can be delivered via a tube in the instrument. It is used to wash the tissue prior to withdrawing a sample.

What To Expect During And After The Test

Before the procedure begins, you will be given the anesthetic to relax the muscles in your throat. If the bronchoscope is being introduced through the nose, your doctor will administer a numbing solution to minimize discomfort. It is common for patients to feel as if they are not getting sufficient air in order to breathe during the test. This feeling is misleading; there is no chance of suffocating during a bronchoscopy.

Following the procedure, you will spend a few hours recovering while your doctor monitors your condition. Your coughing reflex will require a few hours to return, after which you may cough up a small bit of blood. Some patients feel slightly faint or unsteady due to the anesthetic, a sensation that can last for several hours. For this reason, you should have someone available to drive you home. Your throat will likely feel scratchy for four or five days due to irritation caused by the bronchoscope.

While a bronchoscopy is safe, your doctor will make certain you are familiar with the possible complications. These can include infection, arrhythmia and other cardiac events, a collapsed lung, and side effects due to the anesthesia. Given the importance of diagnosing non-small cell lung cancer as early as possible, the risk of complications is minimal.