[Algorithms in the radiological diagnosis of malignant disease (author's transl)]

Algorithms in the diagnosis of malignant disease have the aim to produce a diagnosis as quickly, as certainly and as simply as possible. The first phase consists of general non-invasive methods which should be as simple as possible. If the results are positive this should be followed immediately by percutaneous biopsy in order to produce cytological confirmation of the diagnosis as quickly as possible. If the original investigations were negative, those special methods of investigation should be used which are most likely to make a diagnosis. This is followed by investigations which throw light on the most appropriate form of treatment. This scheme has been illustrated by special algorithms for carcinoma of the bronchus, the pancreas and the breast.