Radiologic-pathologic correlation: the challenge of multimodal diagnosis in pulmonary invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma
10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2026.02.023
- VernacularTitle:病理-影像对照：肺浸润性粘液腺癌的多模态诊断挑战
- Author:
Jianwei GUO
1
;
Chu QIN
2
;
Zhaoyu WANG
3
;
Zhikuan MI
4
Author Information
1. Yan'an Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an 716099, China;Radiology Department, Sengong Hospital of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an 710300, China.
2. Data Center, Sengong Hospital of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an 710300, China.
3. Shanghai Xiawei Medical Laboratory, Shanghai 200240, China.
4. Yan'an Medical College of Yan'an University, Yan'an 716099, China.
- Publication Type:ReviewArticles
- Keywords:
Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma;
Lung neoplasm;
Radiology;
Pathology
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health
2026;35(2):303-308
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) is a rare subtype of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, accounting for approximately 2%-10% of all pulmonary adenocarcinoma cases. IMA is characterized by a high frequency of intrapulmonary metastasis and a generally poor prognosis. Clinically, IMA often presents with nonspecific pneumonia-like symptoms. Radiologically, it manifests as multilobar and multifocal consolidations and ground-glass opacities, which significantly overlap with the radiologic features of pneumonia and other benign or malignant tumors. Consequently, IMA is frequently misdiagnosed in clinical practice, and a definitive diagnosis is nearly impossible upon initial presentation, leading to delayed treatment and a poor prognosis. Currently, there is a lack of systematic reviews correlating the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, and radiologic features of IMA. This review aims to systematically elucidate the clinical, pathological, and radiologic features of IMA, and thoroughly analyze its diagnostic challenges and key points for differential diagnosis, in order to provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the early diagnosis of this disease.
