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Staging non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) need accurate tumor staging in order to direct appropriate therapy and establish prognosis; the tumor is usually staged using the TNM system. The major imaging modalities currently used for staging this disease are thoracic computed tomography (CT) (including the adrenal glands) and whole body fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) scanning. CT is generally most useful in evaluating the T stage, i.e. local spread of the neoplasm, whereas PET is most helpful in assessing the N and M stages, i.e. regional and distant tumor spread, respectively. Integrated CT-PET imaging adds information compared to the use of either modality alone. PET findings frequently lead to upstaging the disease and thus prevent unindicated surgeries. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is helpful in evaluating local extent of disease in patients with superior sulcus tumors and possible brachial plexus involvement. Staging accuracy using any of these imaging techniques is imperfect; therefore, pathologic confirmation of positive findings is recommended, whenever possible, before denying a patient potentially curative therapy.

Author

Leslie Eisenbud Quint

Contact Details

Corresponding address:
Leslie E. Quint, MD, Professor of Radiology, Department of Radiology,
Box 0030, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0030, USA

Reference

ICIS Cancer Imaging Volume 7 Issue 1
DOI: 10.1102/1470-7330.2007.0026

Date Posted

22 October 2007

Open Access is provided for this article.

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