Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Large cell carcinoma of the lung CT
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Computed tomography is the method of choice for the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer. On CT, characteristic findings of large cell carcinoma of the lung, include: ground-glass opacity, rounded mass, large mediastinal node involvement, nodular pleural thickening, and lobar collapse.[1][2]
CT
CT
- Computed tomography is the method of choice for the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancers
- In some cases, non-small cell lung cancers require further evaluation with MRI
- Common features of CT scan for the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancers, include:[3]
- Assessment of the main bronchi
- Evaluation of the entire thorax
- Detection of chest wall invasion
- Assessment of hiliar and mediastinal invasion/adenopathy
- Determination of non-small cell lung cancer staging
- Precise determination of size and tumor dimensions
- Detection of liver, bone, adrenal , and brain metastasis
- On CT, common findings of large cell carcinoma of the lung, include:[3]
- Ground glass opacity
- Rounded and well-circumscribed mass
- Large mediastinal nodules/masses
- Rapid growth
- Lymph node involvement
- Frequently subcarinal
- Nodular pleural thickening
- Pleural effusion
- May be loculated
- Usually large
- Narrowing of the lobar and segmental bronchi on the right, due to filling defect.
- Atelectasis
- Early metastasis to brain
References
References
- ↑ Rosado-de-Christenson ML, Templeton PA, Moran CA (1994). “Bronchogenic carcinoma: radiologic-pathologic correlation”. Radiographics. 14 (2): 429–46, quiz 447–8. doi:10.1148/radiographics.14.2.8190965. PMID 8190965.
- ↑ Parker MS, Chasen MH, Paul N (2009). “Radiologic signs in thoracic imaging: case-based review and self-assessment module”. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 192 (3 Suppl): S34–48. doi:10.2214/AJR.07.7081. PMID 19234288.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kundel HL (1981). “Predictive value and threshold detectability of lung tumors”. Radiology. 139 (1): 25–9. doi:10.1148/radiology.139.1.7208937. PMID 7208937.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]