[The role of computerized tomography in the staging of lung cancer]

Staging of lung cancer place significant role in the prognosis and treatment of the disease. Beside bronchoscopy, CT one of the important method for the tumor staging. 135 CT examinations with diagnosis of suspected lung cancer were evaluated and radiologic diagnosis was compared with the cyto-histological and surgical results. In 112 cases both CT and histological diagnosis were performed: both method revealed malignant tumors in 108 cases. Five lesions were regarded as tumour by CT but histological result proved aspergilloma, or specific processes. Abnormal lymph nodes were recognised at 98 tumours patients. There was a good correlation-regarding the number, size measurement-between CT and surgery. Histological diagnosis proved that all of the lymph nodes larger, then 2 cm of diameter contained metastic cells. In the 1-2 cm size almost all of the lymph nodes were metastatic. In addition tumour cells were found in some lymph nodes smaller, than 1 cm, too. This gives warning sign: smaller lymph nodes need more attention than we assumed. CT prove to be confident method for the evaluation, measurement and localisation of the tumours and lymph nodes in the chest.