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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2008; 29(3): 248-260
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1076745
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Staging of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lynn T. Tanoue1
  • 1Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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Publication History

Publication Date:
02 June 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Accurate clinical staging is critical in the evaluation of any patient with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Staging for NSCLC is based on the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) system used for most solid tumors. The clinical stage, as determined by all available clinical, radiographic, and biopsy data, provides patients and physicians with an overall assessment of disease extent and prediction of survival and enables the identification of appropriate therapies. It is thus imperative that staging be performed as accurately and comprehensively as possible while also maintaining efficiency. To do so requires an understanding of the staging system, the clinical clues that drive the staging evaluation, and a working knowledge of available noninvasive and invasive diagnostic modalities.

KEYWORDS

Lung cancer - staging - PET scanning - CT scanning

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Lynn T TanoueM.D. 

Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University

105 LCI, 333 Cedar St., New Haven, CT 06520

Email: lynn.tanoue@yale.edu

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