[Advances in diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer]

Advances in diagnostic methods and treatment modalities for lung cancer in the recent years were reviewed. Computed tomograph and other lung imaging devices facilitated early detection of small nodule, or diagnosis of extension of cancer. In addition to bronchofiberscopy, fluorescence endoscopy, tracheo-bronchial stenting, or photodynamic therapy brought marked advances in diagnosis as well as treatment of lung cancer at hilar and peripheral regions. Most of the comparative study to evaluate postoperative adjuvant therapy showed negative results. However, it is expected that induction therapy will improve surgical result of advanced lung cancer. Surgery for lung cancer showed great improvements in terms of operative mortality, operative methods (bronchoplastic surgery, combined resection of adjacent organ invasion, extensive lymph node dissection, or limited lung resection) and surgical outcome.