Marjolein A Heuvelmans1, Joan E Walter2, Robin B Peters3, Geertruida H de Bock4, Uraujh Yousaf-Khan5, Carlijn M van der Aalst5, Harry J M Groen6, Kristiaan Nackaerts7, Peter Ma van Ooijen2, Harry J de Koning5, Matthijs Oudkerk2, Rozemarijn Vliegenthart2. 1. University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Medical Imaging - North East Netherlands, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Pulmonology, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.a.heuvelmans@umcg.nl. 2. University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Medical Imaging - North East Netherlands, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ, Groningen, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Radiology, AZ Sint-Maria Halle, Ziekenhuislaan 100, 1500 Halle, Belgium. 4. Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. 5. Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 6. University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Groningen, The Netherlands. 7. Department of Pulmonary Medicine, KU Leuven - University Hospital Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between nodule count and lung cancer probability in baseline low-dose CT lung cancer screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Included were participants from the NELSON trial with at least one baseline nodule (3392 participants [45% of screen-group], 7258 nodules). We determined nodule count per participant. Malignancy was confirmed by histology. Nodules not diagnosed as screen-detected or interval cancer until the end of the fourth screening round were regarded as benign. We compared lung cancer probability per nodule count category. RESULTS: 1746 (51.5%) participants had one nodule, 800 (23.6%) had two nodules, 354 (10.4%) had three nodules, 191 (5.6%) had four nodules, and 301 (8.9%) had>4 nodules. Lung cancer in a baseline nodule was diagnosed in 134 participants (139 cancers; 4.0%). Median nodule count in participants with only benign nodules was 1 (Inter-quartile range [IQR]: 1-2), and 2 (IQR 1-3) in participants with lung cancer (p=NS). At baseline, malignancy was detected mostly in the largest nodule (64/66 cancers). Lung cancer probability was 62/1746 (3.6%) in case a participant had one nodule, 33/800 (4.1%) for two nodules, 17/354 (4.8%) for three nodules, 12/191 (6.3%) for four nodules and 10/301 (3.3%) for>4 nodules (p=NS). CONCLUSION: In baseline lung cancer CT screening, half of participants with lung nodules have more than one nodule. Lung cancer probability does not significantly change with the number of nodules. Baseline nodule count will not help to differentiate between benign and malignant nodules. Each nodule found in lung cancer screening should be assessed separately independent of the presence of other nodules.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between nodule count and lung cancer probability in baseline low-dose CT lung cancer screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included were participants from the NELSON trial with at least one baseline nodule (3392 participants [45% of screen-group], 7258 nodules). We determined nodule count per participant. Malignancy was confirmed by histology. Nodules not diagnosed as screen-detected or interval cancer until the end of the fourth screening round were regarded as benign. We compared lung cancer probability per nodule count category. RESULTS: 1746 (51.5%) participants had one nodule, 800 (23.6%) had two nodules, 354 (10.4%) had three nodules, 191 (5.6%) had four nodules, and 301 (8.9%) had>4 nodules. Lung cancer in a baseline nodule was diagnosed in 134 participants (139 cancers; 4.0%). Median nodule count in participants with only benign nodules was 1 (Inter-quartile range [IQR]: 1-2), and 2 (IQR 1-3) in participants with lung cancer (p=NS). At baseline, malignancy was detected mostly in the largest nodule (64/66 cancers). Lung cancer probability was 62/1746 (3.6%) in case a participant had one nodule, 33/800 (4.1%) for two nodules, 17/354 (4.8%) for three nodules, 12/191 (6.3%) for four nodules and 10/301 (3.3%) for>4 nodules (p=NS). CONCLUSION: In baseline lung cancer CT screening, half of participants with lung nodules have more than one nodule. Lung cancer probability does not significantly change with the number of nodules. Baseline nodule count will not help to differentiate between benign and malignant nodules. Each nodule found in lung cancer screening should be assessed separately independent of the presence of other nodules.
Authors: Matthijs Oudkerk; ShiYuan Liu; Marjolein A Heuvelmans; Joan E Walter; John K Field Journal: Nat Rev Clin Oncol Date: 2020-10-12 Impact factor: 66.675
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