Abstract
100 patients were scanned with a tumor-specific scanning agent (197HgCl2) for suspected lung cancer. 67 primitive malignant tumors and 8 metastatic localisations were detected; all but one case of secondary localisation, where no significant fixation was demonstrated, showed a high and selective uptake of the radio active compound. Among the other patients without neoplastic disease a significant fixation took place only in two cases of sarcoidosis. The comparison of these results with the X-ray findings in the same patients clearly demonstrated that with the scanning method detection of the tumoral characters of the disease is easier. The results of the sputum cells examination for diagnostic purpose are still poorer, if compared, though a positive response is more decisive. 197HgCl2, whose localisation in the tumors may depend on its HS-protein-binding properties, is a suitable agent for the diagnosis of lung tumors and its properties make it suitable for a routine clinical use. The only limitation appears to be a non negligeable irradiation of the kidneys.
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