Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Non small cell lung cancer CT
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Computed tomography is the method of choice for the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer. On CT, characteristic findings of non-small cell lung cancer include ground-glass opacity, rounded or spiculated mass, local nodal involvement, intraluminal obstruction, and lobar collapse.
CT scan
CT scan
After chest X-ray, computed tomography is the best next step in diagnosing non-small cell lung cancer.[1][2][3]
- Common features of CT scan for the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer include:
- Assessment of the main bronchi
- Evaluation of the entire thorax
- Detection of chest wall invasion
- Assessment of hilar and mediastinal invasion/adenopathy
- Determination of non-small cell lung cancer staging
- Precise determination of size and tumor dimensions
- Detection of liver, bone, adrenal, and brain metastasis
On CT, characteristic findings of non-small cell lung cancer include:[3]
- Adenocarcinoma of the lung
- Lung adenocarcinomas are typically peripherally located
- Usually measure <4 cm in diameter, very few shows cavitation
- Perihilar and mediastinal involvement
- Ground glass opacity (slow growth), usually lesions double the size within a year
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is centrally located within the lung
- Usually measure larger than 4 cm in diameter
- Frequent cavitation
- Commonly cause segmental or lobar lung collapse due to the central location
- Large cell carcinoma of the lung
- Large cell carcinoma of the lung shows rapid growth
- Early metastasizes to the mediastinum and brain
- Large mediastinal nodules/masses
- Lymph node involvement (frequently subcarinal)
- Nodular pleural thickening
- Pleural effusion
- Bronchoalveolar carcinoma of the lung
- Bronchoalveolar carcinoma of the lung is a subtype of adenocarcinoma
- Single pulmonary nodule or mass
- Multicentric or diffuse disease
- Localized area of parenchymal consolidation
- Bubble-like areas of low attenuation within the mass are a characteristic finding
- Hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy is uncommon
- Persistent peripheral consolidation with associated nodules
- On CT, signs of non-small cell lung cancer may include:[3][2]
- Finger in glove sign: The bronchial dilation, distal to the obstruction.
- Crazy-paving sign: Appearance of ground-glass opacity with superimposed interlobular septal thickening and intralobular reticular thickening.
References
References
- ↑ Rosado-de-Christenson ML, Templeton PA, Moran CA (1994). “Bronchogenic carcinoma: radiologic-pathologic correlation”. Radiographics. 14 (2): 429–46, quiz 447–8. doi:10.1148/radiographics.14.2.8190965. PMID 8190965.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Parker MS, Chasen MH, Paul N (2009). “Radiologic signs in thoracic imaging: case-based review and self-assessment module”. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 192 (3 Suppl): S34–48. doi:10.2214/AJR.07.7081. PMID 19234288.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Kundel HL (1981). “Predictive value and threshold detectability of lung tumors”. Radiology. 139 (1): 25–9. doi:10.1148/radiology.139.1.7208937. PMID 7208937.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]