Diagnosis

History

Examination

Staging Investigations

CT

PET

CT Brain

About 10% of patients with newly diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer will have brain metastases. Brain CT is not usually organised unless the patient has symptoms or signs of neurological involvement, or in cases where advanced disease is suspected (eg. positive supraclavicular nodes).

Mediastinoscopy

Mediastinotomy

VATS

Endoluminal Ultrasound (Oesophagus)

Intraoperative

Pre-surgical staging is only a guide to the actual stage of the tumour. During surgery, it is important to confirm staging before proceeding with the resection. This can be done by visualisation or palpation of the lung and any visible nodes. Pathological staging involves sampling or removal of all lymph node groups.


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