When and how to invade for the diagnosis and staging of primary lung cancer

In search of perspectives pertaining to the selection of invasive procedures for evaluating patients with lung cancer, data from other centers were considered, and our recent consecutive experience with 40 lung cancer patients was reviewed. Cost estimates for the least and the most complete use of invasive procedures were done. An average of three procedures per patient was used. Information judged beneficial was obtained from 94 for 120 procedures (78 percent). By retrospective analysis, 15 procedures (0.38 per patient) provided no useful information. An approach to the use of invasive procedures in the management of patients with suspected lung cancer is proposed.