Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common malignancy in the world and
accounts for an estimated 1 million deaths each year. Metastasis to the mediastinal
lymph nodes is one of the most important factors in determining resectability and
prognosis. It also influences staging algorithms. Non-invasive radiographic imaging
investigations have their limitations, so tissue sampling is needed. Sampling can be
achieved both by invasive surgical or non-surgical techniques. According to the ESTS
guidelines, among invasive surgical techniques, mediastinoscopy is still considered to
be the gold standard in the mediastinal staging in non-small cell lung cancer. This
chapter deals with invasive surgical techniques.
Keywords: Invasive staging, lung cancer, mediastinoscopy.
