Lung cancer CT
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Saarah T. Alkhairy, M.D.; Kim-Son H. Nguyen, M.D., M.P.A., Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
CT scans help stage the lung cancer. A CT scan of the abdomen and brain can help visualize the common sights of metastases: adrenal glands, liver, and brain. CT scans diagnose lung cancer by providing anatomical detail to locate the tumor, demonstrating proximity to nearby structures, and deciphering whether lymph nodes are enlarged in the mediastinum.
CT Scan
CT scans help stage the lung cancer. A CT scan of the abdomen and brain can help visualize the common sights of metastases: adrenal glands, liver, and brain.
The benefits of CT Scans in lung cancer patients are the following[1]
- Provides anatomical detail to locate the tumor
- Demonstrates proximity to nearby structures
- Deciphers whether lymph nodes are enlarged in the mediastinum
Unfortunately, research has shown that there are a number of false positives associated with CT scanning because a CT scan on its own cannot determine malignancy. A positive result for a tumor using a CT scan is typically followed up with a biopsy for confirmation. Images courtesy of RadsWiki
References
- ↑ Gerard A. Silvestri, Lynn T. Tanoue, Mitchell L. Margolis, John Barker, Frank Detterbeck.11/30/11.The Noninvasive Staging of Non Small-cell Lung Cancer. Chestpubs. http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/123/1_suppl/147S.full/