CT Promising for Sublobar Resection in Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Leesburg, VA, May 13, 2021—According to an open-access Editor’s Choice article in ARRS’ American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR), CT features may help identify which patients with stage IA non-small cell lung cancer are optimal candidates for sublobar resection, rather than more extensive surgery.

This retrospective study included 904 patients (453 men, 451 women; mean age, 62 years) who underwent lobectomy (n=574) or sublobar resection (n=330) for stage IA non-small cell lung cancer. Two thoracic radiologists independently evaluated findings on preoperative chest CT, later resolving any discrepancies. Recurrences were identified via medical record review.

“In patients with stage IA non-small cell lung cancer, pathologic lymphovascular invasion was observed only in solid-dominant part solid nodules and solid nodules with solid portion diameter over 10 mm,” concluded corresponding author Mi Young Kim from the department of radiology at the University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center. 

“Among such nodules,” the authors of this AJR article continued, “peritumoral interstitial thickening (odds ratio=13.22) and pleural contact (odds ratio=2.45) were independently associated with pathologic lymphovascular invasion.” Moreover, models incorporating these features independently predicted recurrence-free survival after sublobar resection (hazard ratio=5.37–6.05).

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Founded in 1900, the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) is the first and oldest radiological society in North America, dedicated to the advancement of medicine through the profession of radiology and its allied sciences. An international forum for progress in medical imaging since the discovery of the x-ray, ARRS maintains its mission of improving health through a community committed to advancing knowledge and skills with an annual scientific meeting, monthly publication of the peer-reviewed American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR), quarterly issues of InPractice magazine, AJR Live Webinars and Podcasts, topical symposia, print and online educational materials, as well as awarding scholarships via The Roentgen Fund®.