Radiologic manifestations of bronchogenic cancer.

Radiologic imaging provides crucial information about bronchogenic cancer and is complementary to more invasive diagnostic techniques. The diagnosis is often suspected initially from the chest radiograph. The CT scan permits the most complete analysis of the extent of the tumor, nodal metastasis, and distant metastasis and serves as a guide to further evaluation and surgery. MRI, at the current stage of development, is generally reserved for cases in which CT findings are inconclusive. Rapid technologic advances have the potential for altering this imaging hierarchy in the near future.