Lung cancer staging

Lung cancer remains a significant cause of death worldwide. A simple, accurate staging system is necessary to plan treatment regimens and to assess their effect on survival rates. In addition, the staging system provides a basis for planning research on newer adjuvant therapies for lung cancer. It should be applicable internationally, facilitating a global effort toward improved survival. The new AJCC staging system was designed to meet these needs, with initial international reports confirming its utility. Since diagnostic radiologists often are instrumental in pretreatment evaluation of these patients, familiarity with this new system is a must.