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.
