Update in the Diagnosis and Staging of Lung Cancer

  • José Vilar
  • Jeremy J. Erasmus
Chapter

Abstract

Primary lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in the world and its incidence is expected to rise in the next several decades, especially in more recently industrialized countries such as China. This high mortality is largely explained by the fact that patients with lung cancer often present with advanced stage disease. Imaging is important in the early detection and clinical staging of lung cancer. Indeed both the therapeutic options and the management of patients with lung cancer are to a considerable degree dependent upon disease stage at presentation. Detailed knowlegde and the appropriate use of imaging in the staging evaluation of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are required to avoid unnecessary procedures, excess radiation, and redundant information. This is facilitated by the use of guidelines as well as the participation of multidisciplinary teams in which radiologists, pathologists, pulmonologists, surgeons, and medical and radiation oncologists discuss and reach a consensus on individualized imaging and treatment. The main objective of this chapter is to review the basic concepts related to the detection, staging, and follow-up of patients with NSCLC.

Keywords

Tumor Node Metastasis Adrenal Mass Solitary Pulmonary Nodule Solid Nodule National Lung Screening Trial 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Italia 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  • José Vilar
    • 1
  • Jeremy J. Erasmus
    • 2
  1. 1.Hospital Universitario Dr. PesetValenciaSpain
  2. 2.Department of RadiologyMD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonUSA

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