The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of thoracic tumors (5th edition) in May 2021, only six years after the 4th edition of WHO Classification. With the application of low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) as an early screening method for lung tumors in recent years, lung adenocarcinoma has become the main type of disease in many hospital surgical treatments. The WHO classification serves as the authoritative guide for pathological diagnosis, and any slight change in the classification is at the heart of pathologists, clinicians and patients. Adenocarcinoma in situ is a newly added type of adenocarcinoma diagnosis in the 4th edition of the WHO classification, and it is also the focus of clinical treatment and research at home and abroad in recent years. Because its catalog position has been adjusted in the 5th edition of the WHO classification, there has been a huge controversy and discussion among clinicians and patients that "adenocarcinoma in situ was excluded from the category of malignant tumors". This article will briefly explain the origin of the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma in situ, the adjustment of the new classification catalog, and whether adenocarcinoma in situ is benign or malignant.
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Adenocarcinoma in Situ/pathology* ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Neoplasm Staging

Due to emphasis on early screening for lung cancer, the detection rate of multiple ground glass opacities (GGOs) on computed tomography (CT) image increases in recent years, and research on multifocal adenocarcinomas presented by GGOs has been thriving. It is more common in women and non-smokers and has excellent prognosis both in patients with natural history and after surgery. These clinical features suggest that it is likely to be a distinct disease entity. From the perspective of molecular genetics, lesions in the same individual are likely to have distinct clonal features. Therefore, genetic heterogeneity is the most prominent feature of multifocal pulmonary adenocarcinomas with GGOs. The genetic heterogeneity is expected to assist the diagnosis of multifocal pulmonary adenocarcinoma and intrapulmonary metastasis, and also suggests that genetic testing of the GGO lesions is of great therapeutic significance. Some GGO lesions may harvest the similar clonal feature, which provide new evidence for the theory of spread through air spaces (STAS).
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Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; pathology ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo analyze the CT image features of pneumonic-type lung cancer and to reduce misdiagnosis.

METHODSThe CT findings of 46 patients with pneumonic-type lung cancer were retrospectively reviewed, and CT image in the differential diagnosis of this special kind of disease was evaluated.

RESULTSAccording to the extent of lesion, these cases were divided into two groups: multi-lobe consolidation group and single lobe consolidation group. The lesions in the latter group located in the upper, middle or lower lobe, respectively. Twenty-nine cases had homogeneous consolidation lesion, 14 cases showed single or multiple cysts and cavities in the lesions, 3 cases exhibited localized low density in the lesion. Forty-one cases shown the sign of air bronchogram with presentation of narrow air bronchogram in 25 of those. Forty cases showed well or ill defined ground-glass opacitiy surrounding the consolidation lesion. Fifteen cases had multi-nodules or opacities distributed in centrilobular or centric bronchiolar location. Of the 30 patients who received contrast medium, 23 showed distinct enhancement, and 7 showed indistinct enhancement with a positive CT angiogram.

CONCLUSIONCT findings including lower lobe distribution, homogeneous consolidation, narrow air bronchogram, well defined ground-glass and CT angiogram are helpful in differentiating pneumonic-type lung cancer from various kinds of infection. However, most of CT manifestations of pneumonic-type lung cancer are not specific. Therefore, it's necessary to combine CT findings with other clinical data when making diagnosis.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar ; diagnostic imaging ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; diagnostic imaging ; Adenocarcinoma, Papillary ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo explore the CT features of ground-glass nodules (GGN) including preinvasive lesions [atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS)], minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) and invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC).

METHODSNinety-seven GGN lesions confirmed by operation pathology were included in this study. The lesions were divided into three groups: preinvasive lesion group (24 cases), MIA group (39 cases), IAC group (34 cases). The lesion size, 3-dimensional ratio, 2-dimensional ratio in axial images, lesion density, shape, speculation, lobulation, air-containing space and pleural indentation on the preoperative CT images in the three groups were analyzed and compared with pathological results. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 17.0.

RESULTSAll preinvasive lesions presented as pure GGN on CT image, most showed round-like shape, clear and smooth border. MIA presented as pure GGN or mixed GGN on CT image, most showed round-like shape, with a clear and smooth border. IAC most presented as mixed GGN on CT image, often showed irregular shape. Speculation, lobulation, air-containing space and pleural indentation displayed gradually increasing from preinvasive lesions to MIA and IAC. There were statistically significant differences in lesion size, CT density, shape, air-containing space, speculation, pleural indentation and long diameter of solid component between the MIA and IAC groups (P < 0.05 for all). There were statistically significant differences in CT density values and long diameters of solid component of the lesions between the preinvasive lesion group and MIA group (P < 0.05). The AUC of solid component of the preinvasive lesion group and MIA group was 0.705, and that of the MIA and IAC groups was 0.814.

CONCLUSIONComprehensive analysis of the CT image features of GGNs, especially the solid component in the lesions, may help to the preoperative and differential diagnosis of preinvasive lesions, MIA and IAC.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Precancerous Conditions ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo evaluate imaging features of benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN) using dynamic computed tomography (dCT) to improve the accuracy of radiological diagnosis.

METHODSFifty-one patients with SPN were studied by dCT. In this procedure, a bolus of 100 ml contrast medium was administrated intravenously at a rate of 4 ml/sec. The same-located dynamic scans were carried out from 15 sec to 120 sec following the injection. Time-attenuation curves (TAC) were created according to circular or oval ROI drawn over nodules. Histopathological diagnosis was considered as the golden standard in all patients. Double-blind examination and evaluation were carried out and the data were analyzed statistically with Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTSThirty eight cases were diagnosed to be malignant SPN (mSPN) and 13 cases to be benign SPN (bSPN). The benign SPN were further divided into two groups, bSPN(1) consisting 6 cases with chronic pneumonitis, nodular tuberculosis or sclerosing hemangioma and bSPN(2) consisting 7 cases with tuberculoma, pulmonary cyst, pulmonary sequestration or mycosis ball. There were statistically significant differences between mSPN and bSPN(2) in peak heights of enhancement (87.6 HU vs. 57.8 HU, P < 0.01), enhancement values (peak heights- unenhanced CT values, 59.6 HU vs. 11.1 HU, P < 0.01). However, no statistically significant differences of those two values existed between mSPN and bSPN(1). TAC of mSPN reached to peak height more rapidly and remained a plateau. TAC of bSPN(1)s showed similar changes to that of mSPN despite a delayed reach to a peak height or even a descending branch. TAC of the bSPN(2)s was lower and flatter without peak height. If a threshold of 20 HU was taken for dCT, the lesions with < or = 20 HU were diagnosed as benign, and the lesions with > 20 HU were diagnosed as malignant, with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 54.0% and an accuracy of 88.4%.

CONCLUSION(1) Absence of the marked enhancement (< or = 20 HU) in dynamic CT is strongly predictive of benignancy. (2) The peak height and enhancement value of dCT are helpful to differentiate malignant SPNs from benign ones. (3) The TAC configuration is helpful in differentiating malignant SPNs from benign ones. Descending branches could be found in some benign lesions, but not in the malignant ones. The TAC of tuberculoma and mycosis ball is usually relatively low and flat without any peak height.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

BACKGROUND: At present, more and more studies predict invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) through three-dimensional features of pulmonary nodules, but few studies have confirmed that three-dimensional features have more advantages in diagnosing IAC than traditional two-dimensional features of pulmonary nodules. This study analyzed the differences of chest computed tomography (CT) features between IAC and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) from three-dimensional and two-dimensional levels, and compared the ability of diagnosing IAC. The non-invasive adenocarcinoma group includes precursor glandular lesions (PGL) and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA). METHODS: The clinical data of 1,045 patients with ground glass opacity (GGO) from January to December 2019 were collected. Then the correlation between preoperative CT image characteristics and pathological results were analyzed retrospectively. The independent influencing factors for the identification of IAC were screened out according to two-dimensional and three-dimensional classification by multivariate Logistic regression and the cut-off point for the identification of IAC was found out through the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. At last, the ability of diagnosing IAC was evaluated by Yoden index. RESULTS: The diameter of nodule, the diameter of solid component, the diameter of mediastinal window nodule in two-dimensional factors, and the volume of nodule, the volume of solid part and the average CT value in three-dimensional factors were independent risk factors for the diagnosis of IAC. These factors were arranged by Yoden index: solid partial volume (0.601)>nodule volume (0.536)>solid component diameter (0.525)>nodule diameter (0.518)>mediastinal window nodule diameter (0.488)>proportion of solid component volume (0.471)>1-tumor disappearance ratio (TDR) (0.468)>consolidation tumor ratio (CTR) (0.394)>average CT value (0.380). CONCLUSIONS The CT features of three-dimensional are better than two-dimensional in the diagnosis of IAC, and the size of solid components is better than the overall size of nodules.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Multiple Pulmonary Nodules/diagnostic imaging* ; Adenocarcinoma/pathology*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the blood supply of primary lung cancer (PLC) using CT angiography for bronchial artery (BA) and pulmonary artery (PA).

METHODSThin-section enhanced multi-layer spiral CT (MSCT) were carried out in 147 primary lung cancer patients and 46 healthy subjects as control. Three-dimensional images of bronchial artery and pulmonary artery were obtained using volume render (VR) and multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) or maximum intensity projection (MIP) at the workstation, and their morphological findings and relationship with the mass were assessed.

RESULTS136 primary lung cancer patients and 32 healthy controls were evaluated for at least one bronchial artery displayed clearly in VR. The detective rate of the bronchial artery was 92.5% and 69.6%, respectively. The bronchial artery caliber and the total section area of lesion side in lung cancer patients were significantly larger than that on the contralateral side and that of the control (P < 0.05). Bronchial artery on the lesion side in lung cancer was dilated and tortuous, directly penetrating into the mass with reticularly anastomosed branches. In the PLC patients, all PA were shown clearly with normal morphological image though crossing over the masses in 54 patients; In 25 PLC patients, the PA being essentially intact, was pushed around and surrounded the mass, giving the "hold ball" sign; In 40 other PLC patients, PA being also intact, the mass surrounded and buried the PA from the outside, crushing the PA flat resulting in an eccentric or centrifugal shrinkage, forming the "dead branch" sign; In the rest 28 patients, the PA was surrounded and even compressed, forming the "residual root" sign.

CONCLUSIONPrimary lung cancer patient shows dilated bronchial arteries and increased bronchial artery blood flow, whereas pulmonary arteries just pass through the mass or are compressed by the mass. It is further demonstrated that the bronchial artery, instead of the pulmonary artery, is the main vessel of blood supply to the primary lung cancer as shown by MSCT angiography of bronchial artery and pulmonary artery.

Adenocarcinoma ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Angiography ; methods ; Bronchial Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

Background and objective As computed tomography (CT) screening for lung cancer becomes more common in China, so too does detection of pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGNs). Although anumber of national or international guidelines about pulmonary GGNs have been published,most of these guidelines are produced by respiratory, oncology or radiology physicians, who might not fully understand the progress of modern minimal invasive thoracic surgery, and these current guidelines may overlook or underestimate the value of thoracic surgery in the management of pulmonary GGNs. In addition, the management for pre-invasive adenocarcinoma is still controversial. Based onthe available literature and experience from Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, we composed this consensus about diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary GGNs. For lesions which are considered as adenocarcinoma in situ, chest thin layer CT scan follow-up is recommended and resection can only be adopt in some specific cases and excision should not exceed single segment resection. For lesions which are considered as minimal invasive adenocarcinoma, limited pulmonary resection or lobectomy is recommended. For lesions which are considered as early stage invasive adenocarcinoma, pulmonary resection is recommend and optimal surgical methods depend on whether ground glass component exist, location, volume and number of the lesions and physical status of patients. Principle of management of multiple pulmonary nodules is that primary lesions should be handled with priority, with secondary lesions taking into account.
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Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung ; China ; Consensus ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Physicians ; psychology ; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Retrospective Studies ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the high resolution CT (HRCT) features of cyst-like lung adenocarcinoma, explore the correlation between HRCT image features and histopathological characteristics, and observe the pathological basis of air-containing space.

METHODSHRCT and histopathologic findings of cyst-like lung adenocarcinoma in 86 patients were investigated retrospectively. The image features of both tumor and air-containing space were analyzed. All surgically resected specimens were reviewed. The pathological analysis included histologic subtype, differentiation degree, and the pathological basis of air-containing space formation. The correlation between HRCT image features and histopathologic grades was analyzed.

RESULTSOn HRCT, intratumoral necrosis was detected in 17 cases (19.8%), air-containing space with septa in 40 cases (46.5%), wall nodule in the air-containing space in 16 cases (18.6%), mixed thick and thin walls of air-containing space in 49 cases (57.0%). Air-containing space and its wall were observed in 63 cases on histological specimens, among which destruction of the alveolar wall by tumor cells might be the pathological basis of air-containing space in 42 (66.7%) cases. Differences of tumor attenuation (P = 0.030), intratumoral necrosis (P = 0.003) and proportion of thin-wall in air-containing space (P = 0.014) among different histopathologic grades were significant. The proportion of thin-wall in air-containing space was negatively correlated with histological grade (r = 0.267, P = 0.015). Differences of tumor contour (P = 0.002), tumor attenuation (P = 0.006), intratumoral necrosis (P < 0.001), septa in air-containing space (P = 0.016) and proportion of thin-wall in the air-containing space (P = 0.005) among different differentiation degrees were significant. The proportion of thin-wall in air-containing space was positively correlated with differentiation degree (r = 0.266, P = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONSOn HRCT, cyst-like lung adenocarcinoma may manifest as an air-containing space with septa and mixed thin and thick walls, whereas wall nodule of air-containing space and intratumoral necrosis are not common. There is a certain correlation of HRCT manifestation with pathological subtype grading and tumor differentiation. Analysis of HRCT image features is helpful in prediction of the histopathologic grading and histological differentiation degree of the tumors. Destruction of the alveolar structure by tumor cells may be the main pathological basis of air-containing space formation in cyst-liked lung adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cysts ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of dynamic enhanced-CT in differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules.

METHODSSixty-three solitary pulmonary nodules were evaluated by dynamic enhanced multi-slice CT. Images were obtained before and at 20 s, 30 s, 45 s, 60 s, 75 s, 90 s, 120 s, 180 s, 300 s, 540 s, 720 s, 900 s and 1200 s after the injection of contrast media. All lesion enhanced parameters and morphological features were recorded. The differences between benign and malignant nodules were analyzed. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of solitary pulmonary nodules were evaluated by receiver operator characteristic analysis.

RESULTSCT enhancement value at 120 s [(29.5 ± 30.2) HU vs. (32.5 ± 14.7) HU, P = 0.023], washout at 20 min [(36.5 ± 24.6) HU vs. (15.6 ± 16.6) HU, P = 0.044], washout ratio at 20 min [(36.5 ± 24.6)% vs. (17.8 ± 14.5)%, P = 0.006], slope of washout at 20 min [(0.006 ± 0.005)%/s vs. (0.002 ± 0.0016)%/s, P = 0.001], type II (24/42 vs. 4/21, P = 0.004) and III (5/42 vs. 9/21, P = 0.005) curves were significantly different between benign and malignant nodules. Using the above mentioned parameters, the results of receiver operator characteristic analysis had a sensitivity of 64.3% and specificity of 84.2% for identification of malignant tumors. The morphological features including round-like, triangle-like, multi-angle, spiculation, light lobulation, the degree of edge (sharp, clear, blur), vessel convergence sign, vacuole sign, airing of bronchi, cut-off of the bronchi and depression of pleura were significantly different between benign and malignant nodules. The results of ROC analysis showed that the above mentioned morphological features had a sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 100% for differentiating malignant tumors from benign nodules. The results of ROC analysis showed that combination of morphological features and dynamic enhancement parameters had a sensitivity of 95.2% and specificity of 100% for identification of malignant tumors.

CONCLUSIONSDynamic enhanced CT images can evaluate morphological and enhancement features of solitary pulmonary nodules. Combination of morphological features and enhancement characteristics can improve the accuracy of diagnosis.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; Colonic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hamartoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; ROC Curve ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods ; Tuberculoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnostic imaging