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Detection of occult metastases in lung carcinomas: Progress and implications for lung cancer staging
Author(s) -
Cote Richard J.,
Hawes Debra,
Chaiwun Benjaporn,
Beattie Edward J.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9098(199812)69:4<265::aid-jso12>3.0.co;2-7
Subject(s) - medicine , occult , lung , cancer , lung cancer , radiology , oncology , pathology , alternative medicine
The ability to detect occult regional and systemic metastases in patients with operable lung carcinoma could have a significant impact on the management of the disease. Here, we review the literature, including studies from our own laboratory, regarding the clinical significance of the presence of occult metastases in patients with lung cancer. The accumulated evidence strongly suggests that the detection of occult regional and systemic metastases is an important predictor of disease progression. The use of this method should be considered in the future design of lung cancer clinical trials, at the very least. The detection of occult metastases should have an impact on lung cancer mangement; to reflect this, we propose a change in the TNM staging system to indicate the presence or absence of occult regional (lymph node) and systemic (bone marrow) metastases. The proposed change is TNnMm, where n and m are occult nodal and bone marrow metastases status. J. Surg. Oncol. 1998;69:265–274. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.