PG16 - Detection of very early lesions in lung cancer: is this important and should they be treated?

Postgraduate Course
Chairs: M. Noppen (Brussels, Belgium), P. E. Postmus (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
Aims: The prognosis of lung cancer remains dramatically poor, despite all efforts. In centrally located squamous cell carcinoma, diagnosis of very early cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions is possible. However, there is debate on the clinical significance of finding and treating very early pre-cancerous lesions. Hence, this raises the following questions: i) Should we look for very early lesions and, if so, how? ii) If we find them, should they be treated and, if so, how? This course will present state-of-the art hot topics in very early lung cancer covering significance, diagnosis and management issues.

Classification, epidemiology, and natural history of very early lung cancer V. Ninane (Brussels, Belgium)
Diagnosis of very early lung cancer: AFB, EBUS, EUS, HRCT, OCT, CFC-FB, or yet something else...? F. Herth (Heidelberg, Germany)
Endoscopic management of early lung cancer: HFEC, cryo, brachy, PDT, YAG; the pulmonologist’s view J-M. Vergnon (St Etienne, France)
Surgical management of early lung cancer: the surgeon's view G. Massard (Strasbourg, France)