There are two ways to determine whether lung cancer has lymph node metastasis: imaging modality such as chest + neck enhanced CT, PET-CT, color ultrasound of superficial lymph nodes; and surgical modality to obtain lymph node tissues.
1. Imaging modality: If chest + neck enhancement CT, PET-CT, or superficial lymph node color ultrasound show enlarged lymph nodes in hilar, mediastinal, subacromial, and supraclavicular lymph nodes, then combined lymph node metastasis will be considered clinically;
Further, TBNA (transbronchoscopic needle aspiration biopsy) or superficial lymph node aspiration biopsy should be performed, and lymph node metastasis should be considered if the pathological results suggest metastatic cancer.
2. Surgery: for lung cancer with indication of surgical resection, lymph node tissues with possibility of metastasis will be removed during surgery, and lymph node metastasis will be suggested if cancer cells are found by pathology.
Precautions: If lung cancer is considered, it should be diagnosed and treated in hospitals for early detection and early treatment.