Improving accuracy of hilar and lobar nodal staging in non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths and its 5-year survival rates vary from 4–17% depending on stage (1,2). Selection of optimal therapy is based on preoperative TNM stage. The status of mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes (LN) is the most important factor to determine the stage (3). Modern staging is based on the use of computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast that can quickly and effectively rule out distant metastatic disease and direct patients to correct therapy.