[Recognition of metastases to the liver in lung cancer patients]

The results of the complex treatment of 441 lung cancer patients are analysed, in whom scanning of the liver was performed to exclude a possible metastatic invasion. 72 patients (16.3%) died in signs of metastatic involvement of the liver: in 33 of them the diagnosis was established based on the data of scanning. 30 of them were suspected of metastases in the liver due to scanning findings, and only in 10 cases scannograms were normal. In 14 of the last 40 patients repeat scannograms revealed metastases. Of the total number of 46 patients with metastases, revealed scannographically, only 15 showed clinical and scannographic signs of tumor involvement of the liver, whereas in the remaining 31--primary clinical signs of the liver involvement were absent, and metastases were first detected by radiologic studies. It is concluded, that it is rational to include scanning of the liver in the complex of the mandatory exploration in patients with lung cancer.