Role of computerized cranial tomography in the staging of small cell carcinoma of the lung

摘要: Fifty-five patients with small cell lung cancer underwent computerized cranial tomography (CCT) and a complete neurologic examination as part of their staging work-up. Fifteen (27%) had evidence brain metastases detected by CCT at the time diagnosis. Eleven these 15 new focal abnormalities upon examination. Of 44 who no examination, four (9%) findings consistent metastases, and, in three patients, central nervous system was only site metastatic disease. Thus, through use routine procedure cancer, whose tumors would otherwise have been classified limited-stage were found to extensive-stage