Can a chest x-ray or echo detect lung cancer?

Chest X-ray: A chest x-ray can spot a lesion which maybe lung cancer. Additional test would be necessary to confirm cancer. An echo is an ultrasound of the heart. It would not directly show a lesion. The lung is full of air which does not work well with echo.

Chest X-rays: Many but not all lung cancers can be detected on chest x-rays. Ct scans are much more sensitive tests. Only by accident will an echo detect a lung tumor.

Not easily: Cxr has been compared head to head with chest ct scan for screening in high risk patients for lung cancer. That study, national lung screening trial, found that in high risk patients, screening chest ct scan was more effective, and was found to save lives. Larger cancers might be seen on a cxr, but smaller cancers may be missed.