Serial 3-Dimensional Volumetric Computed Tomography Evaluation of Lung Cancer Growth Rate in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Findings

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to compare volume doubling time (VDT) of lung cancer with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) findings with that without COPD findings using serial 3-dimensional (3D) volumetric computed tomography (CT) and to investigate the association between VDT and COPD findings. This study included 45 patients with surgically diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer with serial preoperative follow-up CT. Volume doubling time of the nodule was calculated by using 3D volumetric computer software. Volume doubling time of lung cancer with COPD findings (n = 26) tended to be shorter than that without COPD findings (n = 19) (998 ± 2178 vs 2226 ± 6748 days; P = 0.066). Among COPD findings, severity and pattern of emphysema were significantly correlated with VDT (P < 0.001). Volume doubling time of lung cancer with COPD findings on 3D volumetric CT tended to be shorter than that of lung cancer without COPD findings. Severe or paraseptal emphysema may be associated with short VDT of lung cancer with COPD findings.