Micrograph of mesothelioma in lung pleura, rendered in pink

WCLC 2025

Lung cancer: Imaging and challenging cases

Last updated: 15th Sep 2025

Published: 15th Sep 2025

How does new evidence guide decisions in lung cancer care?

The World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, saw leading lung cancer experts discuss the latest research and opinions on decision-making in lung cancer care. Swipe through these educational symposia summaries for expert-led updates on clinical staging strategies and nuanced approaches to immunotherapy in complex patient cases.

New imaging tools for staging

View key insights from “Imaging Tools for Staging: New Kids on the Block,” presented at WCLC 2025. Experts Lawson Eng, Jonas Kroschke, Kyongmin Sarah Beck, Jeremy Erasmus, and Daniel Steinfort examine emerging imaging technologies and their evolving role in lung cancer staging.

Information slide displaying the text “60–90% of patients with lung cancer have a smoking history, and 45% continue to smoke after diagnosis.” Presented by Lawson Eng.

Slide discussing the incorporation of smoking status into lung cancer staging. Key points include evaluating tobacco with other prognostic factors, defining smoking status, and noting that it is a self-reported behavioral variable.

Slide featuring a large quote: “Computed tomography continues to be the workhouse in lung cancer staging, despite limitations.” Quote attributed to Jonas Kroschke.

Slide highlighting benefits of photon-counting CT, including improved spatial resolution, spectral imaging, and has dose reduction compared to EID-CT, with clinical impact yet to be confirmed.

Slide featuring a large quote: “An NSCLC study shows cLy1/2 without distant or mediastinal metastases should be considered surgical candidates.” Quote attributed to Kyongmin Sarah Beck.

Slide outlining imaging challenges in lung cancer staging, including exclusions from TNM and IASLC maps, and difficulties in identifying visceral pleural invasion and distinguishing T from M stage.

Information slide with a table presenting the 9th edition of TNM staging N descriptors of NSCLC, presented by Jeremy Erasmus.

Information slide with a table presenting the 9th edition of TNM staging M descriptors of NSCLC, presented by Jeremy Erasmus.

Slide discussing the benefits and limitations for using PET/CT in lung cancer staging, including that it has better sensitivity and specificity over PET, but is not accurate enough for optimal nodal staging.

Slide featuring the text: “Catch up on more coverage from WCLC 2025, on demand with Medthority. For healthcare professionals only.”

Treating challenging cases with immunotherapy

View a summary of “Challenging Scenarios for Immunotherapy Treatment,” presented at WCLC 2025: Naoka Murakami, Roberto Ferrara, Tom John, and Satoru Miura share real-world patient cases, including older patients and those with autoimmune disorders, and how to approach clinical decision-making.

Title slide displaying the text: “Challenging cases of immunotherapy in lung cancer: WCLC 2025, Barcelona.” A swipe-left prompt indicates more slides are available.

Slide featuring a large quote: “Multidisciplinary monitoring is key when treating lung cancer patients with autoimmune disorders or organ transplant.” Quote attributed to Naoka Murakami.

Slide outlining considerations for safe use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in complex lung cancer cases, including autoimmune risk, transplant concerns, relevant trials, and the need for multidisciplinary monitoring.

Slide displaying the text: It has been predicted there will be an 87% increase in cancer diagnosis in the 80+ population by 2050 – the “silver tsunami. Are we ready? Presented by Robert Ferrara.

Information slide with heading about treatment decisions for older patients with poor performance status (PS). The slide explains that chronological age differs from biological age, and that immunosenescence or biological age may better guide treatment decisions. It notes that PS is too subjective and heterogeneous, and suggests that digital or wearable devices could support future assessments.

Slide featuring a large quote: “The real question is, does the immune system penetrate into CNS tumors? Yes!” Quote attributed to Thomas John.

Slide outlining treatment options for NSCLC with brain metastases and considerations, including response durability, CNS targeting, and trial inclusion.

Slide showing that 18–44% of patients experience severe immune-related adverse events during immune checkpoint inhibitors rechallenge, presented by Satoru Miura.

Slide outlining considerations for ICI rechallenge in lung cancer, including irAE severity and ASCO/ESMO guideline-based multidisciplinary decision-making.

Developed by EPG Health for Medthority, independently of any sponsor.

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