South Korean researchers have found that certain CT features may help identify which patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) could be candidates for sublobar resection rather than more extensive surgery, according to a study published May 13 in the American Journal of Roentgenology.
A group led by Dr. Jooae Choe, PhD, of the University of Ulsan College of Medicine in Seoul conducted a study that included 904 patients who underwent lobectomy (574) or sublobar resection (330) for stage IA NSCLC. Two radiologists interpreted patients' preoperative CT findings.
The team found that particularly in "solid-dominant part solid nodules and solid nodules with solid portion diameter over 10 mm," peritumoral interstitial thickening and pleural contact "were independently associated with pathologic lymphovascular invasion." Models that included these two features were effective in predicting recurrence-free survival after sublobar resection, the researchers noted.
"CT features may help select patients with stage IA NSCLC for sublobar resection rather than more extensive surgery," they concluded.
