Biopsy

Doctors can make an initial diagnosis through a needle biopsy of the tissue suspected to be cancerous or of the fluid surrounding the lung. However a needle biopsy will not allow your doctor to determine the type of cancer with absolute certainty, so he or she may choose to use another method called open pleural biopsy.

In an open pleural biopsy, your surgeon makes a small incision in your chest and inserts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope between two ribs and into the chest. Using the thorascope, the doctor can see the tumor and may take a sample of the tissue and/or the fluid. If the area of concern is your abdomen and not your chest, your doctor will use a peritoneoscope in much the same way.