FDG PET/CT in the Staging of Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND: Accurate staging is crucial for the proper management of patients with non-small cell lung cancer, especially for choosing the best treatment strategy. Different Imaging methods are used to stage patients with non-small cell lung cancer. In the last two decades, FDG PET/CT is carried out in almost all the main Hospitals around the world in this setting. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to focus on the value of integrated FDG PET/CT in the TNM staging of the non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: A non-systematic revision of the literature was performed in order to identify all papers about the role of FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of non-small cell lung cancer and to highlight the value of FDG PET/CT in this setting. RESULTS: Many data are now available about this topic, including also randomized controlled trials. FDG PET/CT is of limited added value in the characterization of T status but it increases the diagnostic accuracy for the assessment of the nodal status. The main advantage of FDG PET/CT over conventional imaging methods is its higher sensitivity in identifying extra-thoracic metastases, especially bone and adrenal lesions. CONCLUSION: PET/CT with FDG should be included in the diagnostic work-up of patients with lung cancer, because it provides useful information for appropriate therapy.