Clinical and pathological characteristics analysis of benign pulmonary nodules clinically highly suspected as malignant: A retrospective cohort study
- VernacularTitle:高度疑似恶性的良性肺结节临床及病理特征的回顾性队列研究
- Author:
Gaojian PAN
1
;
Guojun GENG
2
;
Xiaolei ZHU
2
;
Hongming LIU
2
;
Ning LI
2
;
Jianyun PAN
1
;
Guanzhi YE
2
;
Jie JIANG
2
Author Information
1. Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, Fujian, P. R. China
2. Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, Fujian, P. R. China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Suspected malignant pulmonary nodules;
pathological characteristics;
imaging features
- From:
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
2025;32(02):194-200
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To discuss the main pathological types and imaging characteristics of pulmonary nodules that are highly suspected to be malignant in clinical practice but are pathologically confirmed to be benign. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of patients with pulmonary nodules who were initially highly suspected of malignancy but were subsequently pathologically confirmed to be benign. These patients were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from December 2020 to April 2023. Based on the outcomes of preoperative discussions, the patients were categorized into a benign group and a suspicious malignancy group. The clinical data and imaging characteristics of both groups were compared. Results A total of 232 patients were included in the study, comprising 112 males and 120 females, with a mean age of (50.7±12.0) years. Among these, 127 patients were classified into the benign group, while 105 patients were categorized into the suspicious malignancy group. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding age, gender, symptoms, smoking history, or tumor history (P>0.05). However, significant differences were noted in nodule density, CT values, margins, shapes, and malignant signs (P＜0.05). Further analysis revealed that in the suspicious malignancy group, solid nodules were predominantly characterized by collagen nodules and fibrous tissue hyperplasia (33.3%), followed by tuberculosis (20.4%) and fungal infections (18.5%). In contrast, non-solid nodules were primarily composed of collagen nodules and fibrous tissue hyperplasia (41.2%) and atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (17.7%). Conclusion Benign pulmonary nodules that are suspected to be malignant are pathologically characterized by the presence of collagen nodules, fibrous tissue hyperplasia, tuberculosis, atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, and fungal infections. Radiologically, these nodules typically present as non-solid lesions and may exhibit features suggestive of malignancy, including spiculation, lobulation, cavitation, and pleural retraction.
