Related Experiment Videos
T1N0M0 lung cancer: evaluation with CT
D J Conces1, J F Klink, R D Tarver
1Department of Radiology, Indiana University School of Medicine and Hospital, Indianapolis 46233.
Radiology
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Computed tomography (CT) is valuable for staging early lung cancer. This study found CT effectively identified metastatic lesions in clinical stage T1N0M0 lung cancer, guiding surgical decisions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Computed tomography (CT) is a standard imaging modality for lung cancer staging.
- The utility of CT in evaluating early-stage lung cancer (clinical stage T1N0M0) is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the clinical usefulness of CT in staging patients with clinical stage T1N0M0 lung cancer.
- To determine if CT can accurately identify metastatic disease that would preclude curative surgery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 35 patients with clinical stage T1N0M0 lung cancer who underwent CT.
- Invasive staging procedures (thoracotomy, mediastinoscopy, or fine-needle aspiration biopsy) were performed in 26 patients.
- Correlation of CT findings with pathological results to detect metastases and chest wall invasion.
Main Results:
- Metastatic lesions were confirmed in 6 of 26 patients (23.1%), with 4 showing adenopathy and 1 a contralateral mass on CT.
- CT identified all metastatic lesions that rendered the cancer unresectable.
- One case of chest wall invasion was not detected by CT.
Conclusions:
- CT is clinically useful in the evaluation of clinical stage T1N0M0 lung cancer.
- CT effectively identifies metastatic lesions that impact surgical candidacy.
- While valuable, CT has limitations and may not detect all instances of chest wall invasion.