Using 18F-FDG PET/CT to Diagnose and Treat Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Primary lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and is the most incident cancer, causing about 1.37 million deaths per year globally [1]. In China, both the incidence and the mortality rates of lung cancer also rank first, and the incidence of lung cancer is higher in males than in females, with a sex ratio (male/female) of 3–5:1. In recent years, the incidence of lung cancer in females has increased markedly; most of these patients are older than 40 years. In urban settings, both the incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer are slightly higher than in rural settings, whereas an opposite result was observed after age standardization. Most lung cancer is derived from the epithelium of the tunica mucosa bronchiorum. Lung cancer is classified as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC is the most common type, accounting for ~85% of lung cancers, including squamous carcinoma (SQCC), adenocarcinoma (ADC), and large cell carcinoma. The incidence of SCLC has been decreasing for decades [1].