Integrated FDG-PET/CT imaging which has the benefit of combining metabolic and anatomic data demonstrated on initial studies to be superior to CT alone and FDG-PET alone with pooled average sensitivity of 73%, average specificity of 80%, accuracy of 87% and negative predicative value of 91% [7]. Therefore, selleck chemicals llc FDG-PET can decrease the number of futile thoracotomies by 20% [14]. Due to false positive results, positive PET findings should be confirmed by targeted biopsy prior to surgical resection of the primary tumor. Mediastinoscopy remains the standard for mediastinal staging,

even when lymph nodes are not accessible by mediastinoscope and it should be done in all cases with positive FDG-PET mediastinal lymph nodes [15]. Omitting invasive procedures is recommended by European Society of Thoracic Surgeons in case of peripheral tumors and negative FDG-PET lymph node results. On the other hand, central tumors, PET-based hilar N1 disease, low FDG uptake of the primary tumor and lymph nodes larger than 15 mm on CT scan should be surgically staged [16]. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) permits identification buy MK-2206 and localization of mediastinal lymph nodes during flexible bronchoscopy and allows a more reliable needle aspiration of small lymph nodes with great sensitivity. A sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 100% are comparable to surgical

staging of the paratracheal, subcarinal and hilar lymphadenopathy [17] and [18]. According to the most recent recommendations from the National

Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), FDG-PET positive mediastinal lymph nodes should be sampled with endobronchial ultrasound/trans-bronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) whenever possible with pathologic confirmation by mediastinoscopy when EBUS result is negative. The new 7th edition of TNM staging system has subcategorized M descriptor into intrathoracic metastasis (M1a) that includes malignant pleural effusion, pleural dissemination, pericardial disease and pulmonary nodules in the contralateral lung, and extrathoracic metastasis (M1b) that commonly involves liver, adrenal glands, OSBPL9 brain and bones. Malignant pleural effusion is associated with poor outcome leading to its subclassification as M1a disease as compared with T4 disease previously. Pleural involvement by lung cancer can be secondary to direct invasion or metastatic deposits. Pleural effusion can develop in any lung cancer histologic type, though it is more commonly seen with adenocarcinomas which can cause diffuse nodular pleural thickening mimicking malignant pleural mesothelioma [19]. Inflammatory and infectious conditions can be benign causes of pleural effusion which cannot be differentiated from malignant pleural effusion on CT or ultrasound unless pleural masses are identified. PET imaging has a high sensitivity for the detection of both primary lung cancer and pleural deposits [20]. Cytologic examination can detect approximately 65% of malignant effusions.