Outcomes of lung cancers manifesting as nonsolid nodules

Lung Cancer. 2016 Jul:97:35-42. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2016.04.005. Epub 2016 Apr 21.

Abstract

This is a comprehensive review and re-analysis of available literature to assess the outcome of lung cancer presenting as nonsolid nodules (NSNs), a more indolent form of cancer. PubMed and EMBASE were searched for articles reporting on CT-detected lung cancers manifesting as NSNs published in English on or before July 17, 2015. Only studies including clinicopathologic data, lung cancer-specific survival, or overall survival were included. Data extraction was performed by three independent reviewers using prespecified criteria. Twenty-four articles from 5 countries met criteria and they included 704 subjects with 712 lung cancers manifesting as NSNs. Each article reported from 2 to 100 lung cancer cases with a median follow up of 18-51 months. All NSNs were Stage I adenocarcinoma without pathologic nodal involvement upon resection, except for one case in which the NSN progressed to become part-solid nodule after 6 years of follow-up. The five-year lung cancer-specific survival rate was 100%. These findings suggest an indolent course for lung cancers manifesting as NSNs.

Keywords: Lung neoplasm; Screening; Surgery; Surveillance; Survival.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / mortality
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / diagnostic imaging*
  • Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / mortality
  • Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / pathology*
  • Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / surgery
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • Survival Rate
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed