Mediastinal lymph node staging: from noninvasive to surgical.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review is to describe the current lymph node stations and lymph node staging of non-small cell lung carcinoma. Minimally invasive and invasive methods of mediastinal lymph node staging are emphasized, and the relative accuracy and limitations of each modality are described.

CONCLUSION

Lung carcinoma remains the most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Accurate staging of lung cancer is imperative for implementing the correct therapy and assessing patient prognosis.