[New developments in staging and prognosis of bronchopulmonary carcinoma. Part I: Epidemiology and diagnostic investigations].
Lung cancer represents a major health problem globally and its surge in incidence is mainly attributed to the increase in the consumption of tobacco-related products. The poor prognosis of this condition is generally related to the advanced stage at the time of the diagnosis; therefore, accurate staging initially as well during the course of the disease seems to be of paramount importance. Unfortunately, in the last half-century, no major breakthroughs occurred in the field of the lung cancer therapy. Beyond the classic investigations and staging strategies, a plethora of new exploratory and staging techniques became available in the last several years. In this review (part I) we present the latest epidemiological data, major shifts in the disease presentation, histologic types and staging modalities and present their possible implications on the way we diagnose and, more importantly, how we treat this condition.
Ioachimescu
Octavian
O
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA. oioac@yahoo.com
Corlan
Emil
E
D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects