Multiple Primary Early-Stage Lung Cancer

Abstract

With low-dose CT screening of lung cancer, the detection rate of multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC) significantly increased. Temporally, MPLC can be either synchronous or metachronous; spatially it can be distributed in the same lobe or same lung or bilaterally without specific preference. Radiographically, each single lesion in MPLC may have characteristic imaging features of solitary lung cancer. And all lesions may be in the same developmental stage or sequential stages. For instance, in a patient with MPLC, AAH, AIS, MIA, and IAC may coexist, causing a variety of imaging presentations and challenges in the differentiation of MPLC from diseases with multinodular presentations, such as intrapulmonary metastases, tuberculosis, or other infectious pulmonary disorders. Due to distinct treatment management and prognosis of MPLC, physicians and radiologists should be adequately aware of this particular entity.