Solid Component Size Research Articles

Prognostic Stratification According to Size and Dominance of Radiologic Solid Component in Clinical Stage IA Lung Adenocarcinoma

IntroductionAlthough several studies have investigated the prognostic significance of the radiographic appearance of stage IA lung adenocarcinoma, the prognostic impact of solid component size or consolidation-to-tumor ratio (CTR) of part-solid nodules (PSNs) still remains controversial. This study aimed to clarify the combined prognostic impact of the mentioned radiographic features of PSNs and compare it with that of pure solid nodules in the current TNM classification. MethodsWe retrospectively investigated 1014 patients with clinical stage IA (TNM eighth edition) adenocarcinoma who underwent curative resection. Overall survival (OS) and pathologic characteristics of pure solid nodules, solid-dominant PSNs (CTR > 0.5), and ground-glass opacity (GGO)-dominant PSNs (CTR ≤ 0.5) were compared according to T category. ResultsPatients with pure solid nodules (297 cases) had significantly shorter OS compared with those with PSNs (717 cases) (p < 0.001) but a marginal difference compared with those with solid-dominant PSNs (286 cases) (p = 0.051). No significant difference in OS was found according to T category in those with GGO-dominant PSNs (431 cases). Patients with cT1b and T1c solid-dominant PSNs had significantly worse prognosis compared with those with other PSNs and had comparable prognosis with those with cT1b pure solid nodules (p = 0.892). Higher frequency of nodal and lymphovascular involvement and pathologic upstaging was observed with T category progression in solid-dominant PSNs. ConclusionsAn hierarchy of prognosis and pathologic malignant characteristics was observed according to T category in patients with solid-dominant PSNs but not in those with GGO-dominant PSNs, suggesting the importance of classifying PSNs on the basis of solid component size and CTR for accurate prognostic comparison with pure solid nodules.

Latest Clinical Evidence and Operative Strategy for Small-Sized Lung Cancers.

Many thoracic surgeons revealed that consolidation tumor ratio or solid component size on thin-section computed tomography has been considered more prognostic than maximum tumor size in non-small cell lung cancer (NCSLC). According to the results, the 8th TNM classification drastically changed the staging system, i.e., clinical T category was determined based on the invasive or solid component size excluding a ground-glass opacity (GGO). However, several debates are arising over the application of radiological solid size for the clinical T staging. Meanwhile, recent several institutional reports have noticed a significantly simple fact that the presence of a GGO denotes an influence on the favorable prognosis of NSCLC. More important, radiologic pure-solid lung cancers without a GGO exhibit more malignant behaviors with regard to both the clinical and pathological aspects, and show several histologic types that have a poorer prognosis than radiologic part-solid lung cancer. In contrast, favorable prognostic impact of the presence of a GGO component was demonstrated, which was irrespective of the solid component size in cases in which the tumor showed a GGO component. Recently, this concept has been gradually noticed on a nationwide level. Obvious distinctions regarding the several baseline characteristics between the tumor with/without GGO component is a fundamental biological feature of early-stage lung cancer, which would result in a big difference in prognosis, modes of recurrence, overall behavior, and appropriate operative strategies. As a future perspective, the presence or absence of a GGO should be considered as an important parameter in the next clinical T classification.

Pan-Driver-Negatives versus Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutants for C-Stage IA Lung Adenocarcinoma with Ground-Glass Opacity.

We aimed to verify the prognosis of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation of clinical (c)-stage IA lung adenocarcinoma with the ground-glass opacity (GGO) component. We evaluated 226 cases of surgically resected c-stage IA lung adenocarcinoma with GGO component. Endpoints were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test were used to estimate the survival differences. Prognostic factors were assessed using the univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. Among the 226 cases, 177 cases harbored the EGFR-mutant adenocarcinoma with the GGO component. The mean duration of follow-up time was 54.4 ± 1.2 months. The 5-year OS and RFS did not differ significantly between the EGFR-mutant and wild-type groups (5-year OS 100% vs. 94.3%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.276, P = 0.168; 5-year RFS 94.7% vs. 95.7%, HR 0.873, P = 0.864). Multivariable Cox hazard model revealed that radiologically solid component size (P = 0.010) and pathological node-positive (P = 0.036) were significant predictors of an inferior RFS. EGFR-mutant was not a prognostic factor of OS and RFS for c-stage IA lung adenocarcinoma with the GGO component. Radiologically solid component size and pathological lymph node status were independent prognostic factors of worse RFS.

Which will carry more weight when CTR > 0.5, solid component size, CTR, tumor size or SUVmax?

BackgroundThis study was conducted to explore the clinical significance of the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) in the clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma with tumor size ≤ 2 cm and consolidation to tumor ratio (CTR) > 0.5. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent surgeries between January 2014 and March 2017. Clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma patients with tumor of size ≤ 2 cm and CTR > 0.5 were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups: part-solid and pure-solid based on whether CTR = 1.0 or not. Nodules with any amount of solid or micropapillary components were regarded as the high-risk subtype. Time-dependent ROC curve was used to determine the best cut-off value. Finally, we analyzed the relationship between SUVmax, high-risk subtypes, node metastasis and 5-year relapse-free survival and overall survival. ResultsTotally, 270 patients were included. The distribution of pathological subtypes (p < 0.001), SUVmax (p < 0.001), and pathological N stage (p < 0.001) were different between the two groups. Multivariable analysis indicated that SUVmax could predict high-risk subtypes in cases of part-solid nodules (p < 0.001) and both high-risk subtypes (p = 0.022) and node metastasis (p < 0.001) in cases of pure-solid ones. SUVmax ≥ 2.6 and SUVmax ≥ 5.1 were strongly associated with 5-year relapse-free survival (p < 0.001) and 5-year overall survival (p < 0.001) among all the patients, respectively. ConclusionPart-solid nodules with 0.5 < CTR < 1 and pure-solid nodules in lung adenocarcinoma show different clinicopathological characteristics, especially in SUVmax. SUVmax is significantly associated with high-risk subtypes, node metastasis, 5-year relapse-free survival and overall survival.

Prognostic influence of a ground-glass opacity component in hypermetabolic lung adenocarcinoma.

We evaluated the oncological role of a ground-glass opacity (GGO) component in hypermetabolic lung adenocarcinoma with a high maximum standardized uptake value. Between 2008 and 2017, we retrospectively reviewed the data of surgically resected clinically node-negative lung adenocarcinomas with a hypermetabolic activity. Furthermore, they were classified based on the presence of GGO. The prognostic significance of a GGO in hypermetabolic tumours was evaluated using the Cox proportional-hazards model. The overall survival (OS) was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method using a log-rank test. Of the 1134 surgically resected clinically node-negative lung adenocarcinoma, 603 cases with hypermetabolic activity (maximum standardized uptake value ≥3.0 mg/dl) were evaluated. Among them, there were 120 (20%) cases in the With GGO group and 483 (80%) in the Solid group. The 5-year OS of patients with hypermetabolic lung adenocarcinoma was significantly different between the With GGO and Solid groups (83.1% vs 59.4%, P < 0.001). After stratifying by the presence of GGO, maximum standardized uptake value and maximum tumour size were independently significant prognosticators in the Solid group by multivariable analysis; however, no clinical factors were associated with survival among the With GGO group. The 5-year OS was favourable despite the solid component size among the With GGO group (T1a + T1b: 85.5%, T1c: 80.0%, T2a or more: 84.2%, P = 0.904). For the Solid group, survival diminished drastically with increasing tumour size (T1a + T1b: 68.7%, T1c: 62.8%, T2a or more: 48.0%, P < 0.001). The prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma with GGO was favourable even in hypermetabolic tumours. Accordingly, the presence of GGO should be considered as an important parameter in the next clinical T classification.

P04.01 Presence of Ground Glass Opacity Component is True Determinant of Prognosis in Clinical Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Current Tumor-Node-Metastases (TNM) classification of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is based on the size of solid component for determination of the T factor. However, recent studies reported that the prognosis of patients who have tumors with ground-glass opacity (GGO) component (part-solid group) is significantly better than that of patients who have pure solid tumor (solid group) even if both tumors have the same diameter of the solid component. In this study, we analyzed prognosis of clinical stage I NSCLC patients and propose a new T classification that incorporates GGO status of the primary tumor.

Cost-Effectiveness of Treatment Thresholds for Subsolid Pulmonary Nodules in CT Lung Cancer Screening.

Background Guidelines such as the Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS) are available for determining when subsolid nodules should be treated within lung cancer screening programs, but they are based on expert opinion. Purpose To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of varying treatment thresholds for subsolid nodules within a lung cancer screening setting by using a simulation model. Materials and Methods A previously developed model simulated 10 million current and former smokers undergoing CT lung cancer screening who were assumed to have a ground-glass nodule (GGN) at baseline. Nodules were allowed to grow and to develop solid components over time according to a monthly cycle and lifetime horizon. Management strategies generated by varying treatment thresholds, including the solid component size and use of the Brock risk calculator, were tested. For each strategy, average U.S. costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained per patient were computed, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of those on the efficient frontier were calculated. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses of results were performed by varying several relevant parameters, such as treatment costs or malignancy growth rates. Results Variants of the Lung-RADS guidelines that did not treat pure GGNs were cost-effective. Strategies based on the Brock risk calculator did not reach the efficient frontier. The strategy with the highest QALYs under a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per QALY included no treatment of GGNs and a threshold of 4-mm solid component size for treatment of subsolid nodules. This strategy yielded an ICER of $52 993 per QALY (95% CI: 44 407, 64 372). Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed this was the optimal strategy under a range of parameter variations. Conclusion Treatment of pure ground-glass nodules was not cost-effective. Strategies that use modifications of the Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System guidelines were cost-effective for treating part-solid nodules; an optimal threshold of 4 mm for the solid component yielded the most quality-adjusted life years. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Identification of High-Risk of Recurrence in Clinical Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify patients at a high risk of recurrence using preoperative high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsA total of 567 patients who underwent screening and 1,216 who underwent external validation for clinical stage I NSCLC underwent lobectomy or segmentectomy. Staging was used on the basis of the 8th edition of the tumor–node–metastasis classification. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent prognostic factors for RFS.ResultsA multivariable Cox analysis identified solid component size (hazard ratio [HR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–2.12; P < 0.001) and pure solid type (HR, 1.82; 95% CI 1.11–2.96; P = 0.017) on HRCT findings as independent prognostic factors for RFS. When patients were divided into high-risk (n = 331; solid component size of >2 cm or pure solid type) and low-risk (n = 236; solid component size of ≤2 cm and part solid type) groups, there was a significant difference in RFS (HR, 5.33; 95% CI 3.09–9.19; 5-year RFS, 69.8% vs. 92.9%, respectively; P < 0.001). This was confirmed in the validation set (HR, 5.32; 95% CI 3.61–7.85; 5-year RFS, 72.0% vs. 94.8%, respectively; P < 0.001).ConclusionsIn clinical stage I NSCLC, patients with a solid component size of >2 cm or pure solid type on HRCT were at a high risk of recurrence.

Subsolid Lung Adenocarcinomas: Radiological, Clinical and Pathological Features and Outcomes

Lung adenocarcinomas manifesting as subsolid nodules usually have a favorable prognosis. This study aimed to have a comprehensive investigation of the radiological and clinicopathologic features and oncological outcomes of subsolid nodules. Between March 2010 and December 2015, 865 patients with surgically resected clinical IA subsolid lung adenocarcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified into the pure ground-glass nodules (GGN) (pGGN [n=358], without solid component on lung and mediastinal windows), heterogeneous GGN (hGGN [n=65], only with solid components on lung window), and real part-solid nodule (rPSN [n=442], with solid component on both lung and mediastinal windows) groups. The clinicopathological features and survival time of the three groups were compared between groups. There was a significant increase in median tumor size (P < 0.001), solid component size measured at lung window (LW-SCS) (P < 0.001), and the proportion of invasive adenocarcinoma subtypes (P < 0.001) from pGGNs to hGGNs to rPSNs. After adjustment for LW-SCS, adenocarcinomas with predominant lepidic patterns were still more common in hGGNs than in rPSNs (P=0.009). Patients with rPSNs had a significantly worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) than those with pGGNs and hGGNs (5-year: 91.9% versus 100% versus 100%, P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox analyses revealed that gender (both P < 0.05) and clinical T category (based on lung window [LW-cT] [P=0.002] or mediastinal window [MW-cT] [P < 0.001]) were independent prognostic factors of RFS in the rPSN group. HGGNs represented as an intermediate subtype between pGGNs and rPSNs. Both pGGNs and hGGNs had excellent outcomes, while rPSNs exhibited a worse prognosis than them. Clinical T category and gender had prognostic implications for rPSNs.

Should resection extent be decided by total lesion size or solid component size in ground glass opacity-containing lung adenocarcinomas?

BackgroundIndication for sublobar resections in early-stage lung adenocarcinomas has been controversial. The purpose of this study was to find appropriate selection criteria for sublobar resections in ground glass opacity (GGO)-containing early-stage lung adenocarcinomas.MethodsWe retrospectively studied 985 consecutive patients with clinical stage IA, peripheral GGO-containing lung adenocarcinomas ≤3 cm in size. According to their radiological appearance, they were divided into a pure GGO group and a part-solid nodule (PSN) group. The PSN group was further divided into a GGO-predominant subgroup and a solid-predominant subgroup. Propensity-score matching (PSM) was conducted first in PSNs with similar total lesion size and then in those with similar solid component size to eliminate potential confounders. Histological characteristics and prognosis were compared between matched patients to investigate the prognostic value of total lesion size and solid component size. Then solid component size was chosen as the selection criterion to compare the prognosis of patients receiving lobectomy or sublobar resections.ResultsComparing to PSNs, pure GGO lesions had significantly more favorable histological characteristics and prognosis, with 100% 5-year overall survival (OS), even though 33.3% of patients with pure GGO lesions >20 mm in total lesion size received sublobar resections. For 157 pairs of PSNs with similar total lesion size but different solid component size after the first PSM, the solid-predominant subgroup had significantly worse histological characteristics and prognosis than the GGO-predominant subgroup. After the second PSM, histological characteristics and prognosis were comparable between 73 pairs of PSNs with similar solid component size but different total lesion size. Multivariable analysis showed that solid component size, rather than total lesion size or consolidation-to-tumor ratio (CTR), was an independent prognostic factor. For PSNs containing solid component size ≤2 cm, relapse-free survival (RFS) was similar after sublobar resections or lobectomy (95.0% vs. 93.6%, P=0.592). The results remained similar for PSNs of total lesion size >2 cm but solid component size ≤2 cm (88.9% vs. 90.0%, P=0.893).ConclusionsSolid component size better predicts histological characteristics and prognosis than total lesion size in early-stage GGO-containing lung adenocarcinomas. Instead of total lesion size, solid component size ≤2 cm may be a more appropriate selection criterion for sublobar resections in such patients.

Clinical T1aN0M0 lung cancer: differences in clinicopathological patterns and oncological outcomes based on the findings on high-resolution computed tomography

To elucidate the clinicopathological characteristics and oncological outcomes of clinical T1aN0M0 (c-T1N0M0) lung cancer based on the newest 8th TNM classification. A total of 257 patients with c-T1aN0M0 lung cancer were retrospectively included in this study. According to the solid component size manifesting on the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), all lesions were classified as the pure ground-glass nodule (pure-GGN) with a diameter > 3 cm (n = 19), part-solid (n = 174), and pure-solid (n = 64) groups. We evaluated the prognostic impact of clinicopathologic variables including radiological presentations by establishing Cox proportional hazards model. When we evaluated the prognostic impact based on the radiological subtypes, the 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly different among pure-GGN, part-solid, and pure-solid groups (RFS: 100% versus 95.4% versus 76.6%, p < 0.0001; OS: 100% versus 98.9% versus 87.5%, p < 0.0001). Cox regression analysis revealed the preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level and consolidation tumor ratio (CTR) were independently significant prognosticators related to RFS and OS. Furthermore, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) verified the CTR (area under ROC [AUC] 0.784, 95%CI 0.697-0.869) was equipped with good performance to predict the postoperative recurrence with a cutoff point at 0.5. Lung cancer with higher CTR tended to be associated with lower survival in the c-T1aN0M0 stage. For the c-T1aN0M0 lung cancer, pulmonary nodules manifested as the pure-GGN and part-solid subtypes had an excellent prognosis and may be considered as the "early-stage" cancer, whereas those with pure-solid appearance were associated with the high risk of recurrence despite the sub-centimeter size. • Radiological subtypes could further stratify the risk of lung cancer in cT1a. • Sub-solid nodule has a favorable survival in c-T1a lung cancer, whereas pure-solid nodule is not always "early-stage" lung cancer and is relatively prone to postoperative recurrence despite the sub-centimeter size. • The preoperative CEA level and CTR are valuable prognosticators to predict the recurrence in c-T1a lung cancer.

Subsolid Lesions Exceeding 3 Centimeters: The Ground-Glass Opacity Component Still Matters

BackgroundRecent studies on the favorable prognosis of ground-glass opacities (GGO) featured lung adenocarcinoma compared with solid nodules were limited to small tumors measuring 3.0 cm or less. This study investigated whether the GGO component could predict better prognosis in patients with large subsolid lesions exceeding 3 cm compared with small solid nodules within the same clinical T category. MethodsFrom 2010 to 2015, 1010 patients with completely resected clinical N0 lung adenocarcinoma were enrolled, including 860 solid lesions and 150 subsolid lesions exceeding 3 cm. To analyze the prognostic significance of the GGO component, propensity score matching adjusting the solid component size was performed. ResultsAfter propensity score matching, 144 pairs of patients were analyzed. The mean size of the solid component was 23.7 mm in the GGO group and 24.4 mm in the solid group (P = .450). The GGO group had significantly better overall survival (P = .011) and recurrence-free survival (P = .003), which were also validated in patients with solid-predominant lesions. Subgroup analysis showed the GGO group was associated with better prognosis in each clinical T category. ConclusionsThe prognosis of patients with GGO lesions exceeding 3 cm was better than that of patients with small solid lesions, even within the same clinical T category. Clinical T classification incorporating the GGO component may provide better prognostic prediction for patients with lung cancer exceeding 3 cm.

Bronchoscopic Thermal Vapour Ablation for Localized Cancer Lesions of the Lung: A Clinical Feasibility Treat-and-Resect Study

Background: Bronchoscopic thermal vapour ablation (BTVA) is an established and approved modality for minimally invasive lung volume reduction in severe emphysema. Preclinical data suggest potential for BTVA in minimally invasive ablation of lung cancer lesions. Objectives: The objective of this study is to establish the safety, feasibility, and ablative efficacy of BTVA for minimally invasive ablation of lung cancers. Methods: Single arm treat-and-resect clinical feasibility study of patients with biopsy-confirmed lung cancer. A novel BTVA for lung cancer (BTVA-C) system for minimally invasive treatment of peripheral pulmonary tumours was used to deliver 330 Cal thermal vapour energy via bronchoscopy to target lesion. Patients underwent planned lobectomy to complete oncologic care. Pre-surgical CT chest and post-resection histologic analysis were performed to evaluate ablative efficacy. Results: Six patients underwent BTVA-C, and 5 progressed to planned lobectomy. Median procedure duration was 12 min. No major procedure-related complications occurred. All 5 resected lesions were part-solid lung adenocarcinomas with median solid component size 1.32±0.36 cm. Large uniform ablation zones were seen in 4 patients where thermal dose exceeded 3 Cal/mL, with complete/near-complete necrosis of target lesions seen in 2 patients. Tumour positioned within ablation zones demonstrated necrosis in >99% of cross-sectional area examined. Conclusion: BTVA of lung tumours is feasible and well tolerated, with preliminary evidence suggesting high potential for effective ablation of tumours. Thermal injury is well demarcated, and uniform tissue necrosis is observed within ablation zones receiving sufficient thermal dose per volume of lung. Treatment of smaller volumes and ensuring adequate thermal dose may be important for ablative efficacy.

Solid Components in the Mediastinal Window of Computed Tomography Define a Distinct Subtype of Subsolid Nodules in Clinical Stage I Lung Cancers

BackgroundWe aimed to validate the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic value of the presence of solid components in the mediastinal window of computed tomography scan in clinical stage I pulmonary subsolid nodules (SSNs). MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated patients with pulmonary SSNs resected between 2011 and 2016. We classified SSNs into heterogeneous ground-glass nodules (HGGNs) (solid component detected only in lung window) and part-solid nodules (PSNs) (solid component detected both in lung/mediastinal windows). ResultsA total of 487 patients (216 PSNs) were included. PSNs were associated with higher frequencies of micropapillary or solid pathologic patterns (18.1% vs. 3.3%; P < .001), epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutation (39.4% vs. 32.8%), and other types of gene mutations (2.3% vs. 1.1%; P = .043). Logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-5.57; P = .016) and higher consolidation tumor ratio (CTR) (OR, 110.04; 95% CI, 8.56-1414.39; P < .001) remained independent for invasive adenocarcinomas with poor differentiation. Receiver operating characteristic analyses revealed that solid component size in the mediastinal window (area under the curve [AUC], 0.731; 95% CI, 0.653-0.808; P < .0001) showed a better predictive ability to poor differentiation compared with solid component size in the lung window and CTR. The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate of PSNs was worse than that of HGGNs (94.6% vs. 99.1%; P = .019). Multivariate Cox regression revealed that positive lymph node status (hazard ratio, 22.99; 95% CI, 4.52-116.86; P < .001) indicated worse RFS for PSNs. ConclusionSSNs with solid components in mediastinal window demonstrated clinicopathologic and prognostic features different from those without in clinical stage I lung cancer. Solid components in mediastinal window was a strong predictor of poor differentiation.

A comparative study to evaluate CT-based semantic and radiomic features in preoperative diagnosis of invasive pulmonary adenocarcinomas manifesting\xa0as subsolid nodules

This study aims to predict the histological invasiveness of pulmonary adenocarcinoma spectrum manifesting with subsolid nodules ≦ 3 cm using the preoperative CT-based radiomic approach. A total of 186 patients with 203 SSNs confirmed with surgically pathologic proof were retrospectively reviewed from February 2016 to March 2020 for training cohort modeling. The validation cohort included 50 subjects with 57 SSNs confirmed with surgically pathologic proof from April 2020 to August 2020. CT-based radiomic features were extracted using an open-source software with 3D nodular volume segmentation manually. The association between CT-based conventional features/selected radiomic features and histological invasiveness of pulmonary adenocarcinoma status were analyzed. Diagnostic models were built using conventional CT features, selected radiomic CT features and experienced radiologists. In addition, we compared diagnostic performance between radiomic CT feature, conventional CT features and experienced radiologists. In the training cohort of 203 SSNs, there were 106 invasive lesions and 97 pre-invasive lesions. Logistic analysis identified that a selected radiomic feature named GLCM_Entropy_log10 was the predictor for histological invasiveness of pulmonary adenocarcinoma spectrum (OR: 38.081, 95% CI 2.735–530.309, p = 0.007). The sensitivity and specificity for predicting histological invasiveness of pulmonary adenocarcinoma spectrum using the cutoff value of CT-based radiomic parameter (GLCM_Entropy_log10) were 84.8% and 79.2% respectively (area under curve, 0.878). The diagnostic model of CT-based radiomic feature was compared to those of conventional CT feature (morphologic and quantitative) and three experienced radiologists. The diagnostic performance of radiomic feature was similar to those of the quantitative CT feature (nodular size and solid component, both lung and mediastinal window) in prediction invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma (IPA). The AUC value of CT radiomic feature was higher than those of conventional CT morphologic feature and three experienced radiologists. The c-statistic of the training cohort model was 0.878 (95% CI 0.831–0.925) and 0.923 (0.854–0.991) in the validation cohort. Calibration was good in both cohorts. The diagnostic performance of CT-based radiomic feature is not inferior to solid component (lung and mediastinal window) and nodular size for predicting invasiveness. CT-based radiomic feature and nomogram could help to differentiate IPA lesions from preinvasive lesions in the both independent training and validation cohorts. The nomogram may help clinicians with decision making in the management of subsolid nodules.

Evaluation of solid portions in non-small cell lung cancer-the solid part is not always measurable for clinical T factor.

Solid component size on thin-section computed tomography is used for T-staging according to the eighth edition of the Tumor Node Metastasis classification of lung cancer. However, the feasibility of using the solid component to measure clinical T-factor remains controversial. We evaluated the feasibility of measuring the solid component in 859 tumours, which were suspected cases of primary lung cancers, requiring surgical resection regardless of the procedure or clinical stage. After excluding 126 pure ground-glass opacity tumours and 450 solid tumours, 283 part-solid tumours were analysed to determine the frequency of cases where the measurement of the solid portion was difficult along with the associated cause. Pathological invasiveness was also evaluated. The solid portion of 10 lesions in 283 part-solid nodules was difficult to measure due to an underlying lung disease (emphysema and pneumonitis). The solid portion of 62 lesions (21.9%) without emphysema and pneumonitis was difficult to measure due to imaging features of the tumours. Among the 62 patients, five had no malignancy and one with a tumour size of 33mm had nodal metastasis. There were 56 lesions with a tumour size of ≤30mm, wherein nodal metastases, vascular and/or lymphatic invasions were not observed. For one-fifth of the part-solid tumours, measurement of the solid component was difficult. Moreover, these lesions had low invasiveness, especially in T1. The measurement of the solid portion and the classification of T1 in 1-cm increments may be complex.

Oncologic Outcomes of Complex Segmentectomy: A Multicenter Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Complex segmentectomy creates several intricate intersegmental planes; however, it has not been fully established in lung cancer treatment. We compared the oncologic outcomes of complex segmentectomy and lobectomy through a large cohort, multicenter database using propensity score-matched analysis. We retrospectively analyzed data from 1517 patients with clinical stage I lung cancer with a solid component size 2.0 cm or less, who underwent surgical resection at 3 institutions between 2010 and 2018. Complex segmentectomy (n= 240) and location-adjusted lobectomy (n= 851) as well as surgical results were analyzed for all patients and their propensity score-matched pairs. The prognosis of patients undergoing complex segmentectomy was not significantly different from that of patients undergoing lobectomy (5-year cancer-specific survival [CSS] rate, 96.4% versus 97.2%, P= .69; and 5-year recurrence-free interval [RFI] rate, 95.8% versus 93.4%, P= .19). This trend was also identified in subanalyses for pure solid tumors. However, there were major differences in clinicopathologic features between the 2 groups. After propensity score-matched analysis, proper matching of patients was ascertained. In 219 propensity score-matched pairs, long-term outcomes were similar between patients undergoing complex segmentectomy (5-year CSS, 96.0%; 5-year RFI, 95.5%) and lobectomy (5-year CSS, 97.8%; 5-year RFI, 95.9%). Propensity score-adjusted multivariable analysis for RFI revealed that prognosis associated with complex segmentectomy was comparable to the prognosis obtained with lobectomy (hazard ratio= 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-2.40; P= .98). Complex segmentectomy provides acceptable oncologic outcomes in clinical stage I lung cancer treatment.

Percutaneous computed tomography guided biopsy of sub-solid pulmonary nodules: differentiating solid from ground glass components at the time of biopsy

IntroductionThis study assessed (i) the ability to identify the solid components of part-solid nodules (PSN) during computed tomography (CT) guided lung biopsy (CTGLB), (ii) the ability of CTGLB to assess the invasive nature of a nodule on pathology. Materials and methodsSixty-nine nodules were studied in 68 patients who underwent CTGLB between 1/1/2014 and 10/31/2015. Diagnostic CT images and CTGLB images were reviewed. On diagnostic CT images, nodules were classified as ground glass nodules (GGN) or PSNs. Nodule size, location, and percentage of solid component were recorded. At the time of biopsy, the ability to visualize the solid component of a PSN, depth of lesion from skin, and ability to identify the needle within the solid component were recorded. ResultsThere were 42 (61%) part-solid nodules and 27 (39%) GGNs. During biopsy, it was possible to differentiate the solid from the ground glass components in 35 (83%) PSNs. Fifty-nine (86%) nodules were neoplastic based on biopsy pathology (all non-small cell lung carcinoma). Thirty-nine (66%) were resected. In all cases biopsy pathology and surgical pathology agreed regarding the presence of lung carcinoma. In 6 (15%) cases biopsy pathology demonstrated purely lepidic growth but had some non-lepidic growth on surgical pathology, including 2 cases with acinar growth as a dominant pattern. ConclusionIn most patients, the solid and ground glass components of a PSN were distinguishable when performing a CTGLB. In a minority of patients, discrepancy was noted between biopsy pathology and surgical pathology regarding the invasive nature of a nodule.

Ground glass opacity on chest CT scans from screening to treatment: A literature review.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in the world. However, recent studies have found that patients with pulmonary ground-glass opacity (GGO) have a better prognosis. Considering its low invasiveness, sublobar resection may be an appropriate treatment of choice. Low-dose computed tomography (CT) is recommended for the high-risk groups of lung cancer. Patients with nonsolid nodule are suggested to take annual low dose CT following-up. For part-solid or solid nodules, the solid component size less or more than 8 mm is the watershed of surgical treatment. Increasing tumor size is a hint of malignancy. Biopsy can be performed for clinically highly suspected malignant nodules. The endobronchial ultrasound biopsy, CT-guide biopsy, or surgical excision are the mainstream for the diagnosis of lung nodules. But for treatment, the sublobar resection is the mainstream of pulmonary GGO. A precise localization technique makes surgeons get enough resection margin and preserve more pulmonary function of the patients. The different localization technique is suitable for different kind nodular position. For patients with pure pulmonary GGO, annual low dose CT checkup is suitable. If the tumor size or solid part of the tumors increased gradually, adequate sublobar resection after tumor localization technique may provide good prognosis and preserve more pulmonary function of the patients.

Long-Term Outcomes After Sublobar Resection Versus Lobectomy in Patients With Clinical Stage IA Lung Adenocarcinoma Meeting the Node-Negative Criteria Defined by High-Resolution Computed Tomography and [18F]-Fluoro-2-Deoxy-d-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography

PurposeTo evaluate long-term outcomes after sublobar resection for patients with clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma who met our proposed node-negative (N0) criteria, namely solid component size < 0.8 cm on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) or a maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of < 1.5 on [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). Patients and MethodsBetween April 2006 and December 2010, a total of 347 patients with clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma underwent complete resection in two medical centers. Long-term outcomes of patients with disease that met the N0 criteria after sublobar resection were evaluated. ResultsThe disease of 201 patients (57.9%) met the N0 criteria. Meeting N0 criteria was significantly associated with low-grade adenocarcinoma subtype (P < .001) and absence of lymphatic invasion (P < .001), vascular invasion (P < .001), and pleural invasion (P < .001). One patient (0.5%) had lymph node metastasis. The median follow-up period was 86.1 months. There was a significant difference in the overall survival (OS) rates between patients with disease that met the N0 criteria (5-year OS, 93.9%; 10-year OS, 90.3%) and disease that did not (5-year OS, 81.5%; 10-year OS, 64.3%; P < .001). Among patients with disease that met the N0 criteria, there was no significant difference in the OS between those who underwent lobectomy (5-year OS, 94.3%; 10-year OS, 92.6%) and those who underwent sublobar resection (5-year OS, 93.8%; 10-year OS, 89.3%; P = .64). ConclusionsSublobar resection of clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma is feasible in selected patients with disease that meets the N0 criteria, with excellent long-term survival.