The Use of CT Pattern in Differentiating Non-invasive, Minimally Invasive and Invasive Variants of Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Abstract

This study determined whether computed tomography (CT) is an appropriate means by which to differentiate non-invasive and minimally invasive forms of pulmonary adenocarcinoma from the invasive variant. A total of 64 patients (38 men and 26 women, aged 42-76, mean age 64), who underwent surgery for pulmonary adenocarcinoma and a chest CT no less than 1 month before surgery, were included in the study. Lesions exhibiting ground glass opacity or ground glass opacity with a solid component of 5 mm or smaller, were defined as minimally invasive or non-invasive adenocarcinomas. CT findings were correlated with histopathological examination. Distinguishing minimally invasive and non-invasive adenocarcinoma from invasive adenocarcinoma using CT was achieved with a sensitivity of 77.7%, a specificity of 97.8%, a positive predictive value of 93.3%, and a negative predictive value of 91.8%. CT can be useful in assessing the degree of invasiveness of pulmonary adenocarcinoma and is a potential tool for the individualization of treatment.