Diagnostic imaging of lung cancer

N. Hollings, P. Shaw
2002 European Respiratory Journal  
Carcinoma of the bronchus is the most common malignancy in the Western world. It is also the leading cause of cancer-related death accounting for 32% of all cancer deaths in males and 25% in females [1]. In the USA it causes more deaths than cancers of the colon, breast and prostate combined [2] . Disappointingly, in a recent UK survey of improvements in cancer survival [3] , carcinoma of the bronchus showed the smallest percentage reduction in the number of deaths avoided between 1981-1990
more » ... %). This compares badly with breast (11% reduction) and melanoma (32%). The overall 5-yr survival for lung cancer diagnosed between 1986-1990 was only 5.3% (against 66% for breast and 76% for melanoma). It is on this background that the radiologist remains actively employed in the detection, diagnosis, staging and review of this common malignancy.
doi:10.1183/09031936.02.00280002 pmid:11999004 fatcat:mv5dlnnimjaotbudbu3jhivphy