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Vol.48 No.4 contents | Japanese/English |
 | Full Text of PDF (1472K) Article in Japanese |
- The 33rd Diagnostic Imaging Seminar -
Plain Chest Radiographs in the Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
Kazuto Ashizawa11Clinical Oncology Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Japan
Although low-dose CT screening for lung cancer has become widespread, plain chest radiograph is the first diagnostic step and plays the most important role in the diagnosis of lung cancer. Chest radiographic findings of lung cancer vary, and could be classified into 2 types, namely, proximal and peripheral. In proximal type lung cancer, although hilar abnormality can be detected, bronchial stenosis and associated distal parenchymal changes including obstructive pneumonia and obstructive atelectasis are common findings. Peripheral type lung cancer usually appears as a nodule or mass, but often shows focal linear or irregular opacity. The features suggesting malignancy are ill-defined borders, spicules, vascular convergence, and pleural indentation. In mucin-producing bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, an ill-defined consolidation with air bronchogram is seen, which simulates infectious pneumonia. This form of carcinoma is often multicentric, and cavity is seen within the consolidation.
key words: Plain chest radiograph, Lung cancer, Bronchial stenosis, Atelectasis
JJLC 48 (4): 295-301, 2008
