Diagnosis and management of early lung cancer

Surg Clin North Am. 2002 Jun;82(3):457-76, v. doi: 10.1016/s0039-6109(02)00018-x.

Abstract

Bronchogenic carcinoma remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Approximately 80% of newly diagnosed cases are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); 80% of these present with disseminated or locally advanced disease. Unfortunately, only 10% are potentially surgically curable patients with early-stage disease (T1N0/T2N0). Most patients with early-stage disease are asymptomatic, with their lung cancer detected as a result of non-cancer related procedures. Studies have shown that chest radiography as a screening modality resulted in a higher discovery of early disease, but did not translate to a significant reduction in lung cancer mortality. Recent work on low-dose helical CT, however, has renewed interest in the challenge of detecting early-stage lung cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Radiography
  • Time Factors