Lung Cancer Spotlight-Management of Slow-growing Subsolid Pulmonary Nodules

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this session, the speakers discussed the management of sub-solid lung nodules. Sub-solid nodules are a type of lung nodule that can appear as ground glass opacities on CT scans. While most sub-solid nodules are slow-growing and benign, some may become invasive tumors. The goal for radiologists managing sub-solid nodules is to identify which nodules are likely to be cancerous without subjecting patients to invasive procedures or unnecessary treatment. The speakers emphasized the need for accurate and thorough evaluation of sub-solid nodules, including thin-section CT scans, evaluation of nodules in multiple planes, and comparison of current and previous imaging studies to assess growth and change over time. They noted that not all sub-solid nodules are the same, and radiologists should pay attention to features such as the presence of solid components, heterogeneous density, air bronchograms, central bubbly lucentcy, and architectural distortion. The speakers also highlighted the importance of considering other factors including patient age, comorbidities, and life expectancy when deciding on management approaches for sub-solid nodules. They discussed the limited evidence comparing surgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for sub-solid nodules, noting that surgery appears to have better outcomes in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival. However, they acknowledged that there are ongoing studies that may provide more definitive evidence. Overall, the speakers emphasized the importance of individualizing management approaches for sub-solid lung nodules based on the radiographic features, patient characteristics, and the risk of progression.

Meta Tag

Category Lung Cancer

Speaker Anne Gonzalez, MD

Speaker Frank Detterbeck, MD, FCCP

Speaker Douglas Arenberg, MD, FCCP

Speaker Adam Guttentag

Keywords

sub-solid lung nodules

ground glass opacities

CT scans

benign nodules

invasive tumors

radiologists

thin-section CT scans

growth assessment

solid components

patient management