Lung cancer diagnosis tool shown to be safe and effective for older patients
Monday, August 4, 2014 - 10:30
in Health & Medicine
A procedure to take tissue samples from lung cancer patients can be used safely in the elderly – allowing doctors to make a more accurate diagnosis and to choose appropriate treatment, a recent study has found. Half of all lung cancer patients are over 70 years old when first diagnosed, but studies have shown that these older patients are less likely to receive an accurate diagnosis. A correct assessment of the stage of a patient’s disease – how much their tumor has grown and spread – is key to ensuring they receive the right treatment.