A layperson’s guide to “Advances in Lung Cancer,” by Hannon & Yendamuri
In addition to providing links to the full article text, we have also provided a highlighted pdf version – with additional notes, links and information contained in this post.
What is staging?
Staging is the diagnostic process of determining how much/ how far cancer has spread. Staging usually involves several tests and procedures such as PET/CT scans, mediastinoscopy or bronchoscopy (with endobronchial biopsy). Some of these tests may have been done at the time of initial diagnosis. Others will be done as part of the work-up after doctors suspect or have diagnosed lung cancer.
More about mediastinoscopy:
Mediastinoscopy as explained by Dr. Carlos Ochoa
WebMd article on mediastinoscopy
when mediastinoscopy is done with a camera, it is called video-assisted mediastinoscopic lymphadenectomy (VAMLA)
Transcervical extended mediastinal lymphadenectomy: is an extended version of a traditional mediastinoscopy, allowing for more extensive lymph node dissection.
article at CTSnet
The jury is still out on whether the newer technologies are superior to traditional mediastinoscopy. The most important thing is for a patient to have a mediastinoscopy-type procedure for accurate tissue diagnosis. The more lymph nodes sampled – the more accurate the staging.
This procedure may be combined with other procedures like bronchoscopies with needle biopsy (EBUS) to be able to sample more nodes from more locations in the mediastinum. (Each procedure samples a different area of the mediastinum.)
Why is staging important?
Staging provides doctors and patients with information about the extent of cancer present. Is the cancer in a small area of the lung alone? Has it spread to the lymph nodes? Is there distant metastasis to other organs?
Knowing the answers to these questions will determine the course of treatment (surgery versus chemotherapy alone, surgery plus chemotherapy/ radiation). Staging also gives us information about anticipated or expected survival – which is important for patients to know when deciding on treatment options.
Lung cancer 101 – article on staging of lung cancer, small and non-small at lungcancer.org
Non-small cell lung cancer staging – National Cancer Institute. Also have information about the diagnostic testing used for accurate staging.
Staging is done, now what?
Once the cancer has been staged accurately, doctors can begin to discuss treatment options. Treatment options can include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Surgery is usually the most effective for early stage cancers (IA to IIIB in most cases). More advanced cancers may require chemotherapy regimens or palliation alone.
Treatment Modalities discussed in Hannon & Yendamuri:
Brachytherapy – this is a type of radiation treatment that is implanted into the patient at the time of surgery.
American Brachytherapy Society (ABS)
Radiation therapy – has a section on brachytherapy
Single port thoracic surgery – archives for related posts on single port thoracic surgery
Robotic surgery – posts on robot surgery and the DaVinci surgical system.
Dr. Buitrago and robotic surgery – with short YouTube clip
Dr. Mark Dylewski – master of robotic surgery
Dr. Weksler – robotic surgery
Awake thoracic surgery with Dr. Mauricio Velaquez
Palliation – including treatment for malignant pleural effusions
Reference article:
Hennon, M. W., & Yendamuri, S. (2012). Advances in lung cancer. Journal of Carcinogenesis 2012, 11:21.
Dr. Mark Hennon and Dr. Sai Yendamuri are board-certified thoracic surgeons, and assistant professors of thoracic surgery at the State University of New York – Buffalo. They currently practice at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York.
Thoracic Surgery 