[Clinical evaluation of local and regional spread of lung cancer]

The author has given a clinical estimation of 205 azygo-and hemiazygographies, 252 prescalene biopsies, 118 mediastinoscopies and 79 thoracotomies, performed to determine the boundaries of local and regional cancer spread. An associated study was used in 135 patients. In 390 of 473 patients (or in 82.4% of cases) the diagnosis of lung cancer was supported histologically and cytologically. By means of prescalene biopsy metastases in deep lower jugular lymph nodes were detected in 81 (32.1%) patients. Application of azygography allowed the recognition of azygous vein block in 28 of 205 patients. Mediastinoscopy made it possible to reveal the presence of metastases in 33 (27.9%) of 118 patients. Thoracotomy employed in 79 patients to pinpoint further the spread of the process allowed a conclusion as to inoperability in 19 of them.