Imaging techniques in lung cancer

Summary Conventional chest radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) are all imaging techniques used for the detection, characterisation, staging and follow-up of lung cancer. The success of CT is related to the fact that very detailed imaging information of the localisation and the extent of the tumour, the presence of enlarged lymph nodes and the presence of metastatic disease can be provided. Integrated PET/CT combines anatomical information from CT with metabolic information from PET. PET/CT is nowadays the best imaging technique for the staging of lung cancer. MR was used for a long time as a problem-solving tool; however, with the development of new application methods, MR becomes a promising imaging modality in the evaluation of lung cancer patients. In this review, the use of these imaging techniques in the evaluation of lung cancer will be discussed.