Abstract
The correct staging of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is essential for determining appropriate treatment. CT of the chest is the initial approach used to stage the tumor, nodal status, and typical sites of metastases (lung, liver, and adrenals). When invasion of the chest wall, diaphragm or vertebral bodies is suspected, MRI appears to be superior to CT scanning. In addition to its usefulness in evaluating pulmonary nodules, positron emission tomography using 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose has a high sensitivity for detecting malignancy in mediastinal nodes; transesophageal mediastinal lymph node sampling using endoscopic ultrasonographic guidance is an important adjunct. The risk-benefit ratio of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resectable localized NSCLC may improve with the use of newer chemotherapeutic agents, such as paclitaxel, docetaxel, vinorelbine, and gemcitabine. Advances in external beam and endobronchial radiation therapy may mean greater efficacy and decreased toxicity when they are used as adjunctive or palliative therapy.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 315-321 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Respiratory Diseases |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| State | Published - Jul 1 2003 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Active agents for NSCLC
- International system for staging lung cancer
- TNM definitions
