Better to detect lung metastases

An international team of scientists, led by the Ghent University Hospital, has developed a technique to improve lung cancer metastases to detect. With that fewer metastases are missed.

The Ghent University Hospital introduces internal ultrasound as a technique. With a miniature camera through the trachea and esophagus are the glands examined, without the patient an anesthetic. With thin needles, samples are taken for microscopic examination.

Only when no metastases are found, is a classic surgical research to confirm.

"A long gland is essential to study the extent of cancer in the picture. Until recently, almost always surgical," says Professor Tournoy, lung specialist and coordinator of the study. "With the surgical study, the number of metastases in lung cancer patients, twenty percent of the missing." The new technology will figure to about five percent lower.

Lung cancer affects 7000 Belgians every year and is the leading cause of cancer death in men.