Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States, with more than 170,000 individuals diagnosed each year and more than 140,000 succumbing to the disease.<sup>34Parker S.L., Tong T., Bolden S., e al. Cancer Statistics Cancer 1997 ;  47 : 5 [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> It is the most common cancer in men worldwide and has now surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in women.<sup>34Parker S.L., Tong T., Bolden S., e al. Cancer Statistics Cancer 1997 ;  47 : 5 [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> A number of different imaging procedures, including standard radiography, CT, and MR imaging, play an important role in the diagnosis and staging of patients with lung cancer. Positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) is discussed in a separate article in this issue.