If presenting with the symptoms listed above; urgently see a doctor. The doctor will ask further questions and perform a physical examination to reach a diagnosis.

1. PhysicalExamination: The doctor will perform a general examination including observing your respiratory rate (breaths per minute). The doctor will then listen to the breathing movements by placing a stethoscope on your chest to examine if there is adequate air entry into the 
2. Chest X-ray: this will help to visualize any abnormal masses in the chest cavity.
3. HighResolution CT scan (HRCT): this will more accurately visualize the chest cavity to locate the cancerous 
4. Abdominal/PelvicCT scan: This is done to ascertain if there is any spread of lung cancer to other organs of the This is a necessary step before initiating treatment because metastasized cancer determines the course of treatment.
5. Lung biopsy: After locating the growth using chest X-ray or HRCT scan, the doctor will take a sample of the growth for laboratory studies. This is done by inserting a biopsy needleinto the lungs through a space between the  The lung tissue sample is then taken to the lab to determine the type of lung cancer. This is also important in determining the kind of treatment to be initiated.
6. PET(positron emission tomography) Scan: This is done by injecting a radioactive substance into the veins to trace the location and spread of the cancerous