Diagnostics (Aug 2023)

Managing Persistent Subsolid Nodules in Lung Cancer: Education, Decision Making, and Impact of Interval Growth Patterns

  • Yung-Chi Liu,
  • Chia-Hao Liang,
  • Yun-Ju Wu,
  • Chi-Shen Chen,
  • En-Kuei Tang,
  • Fu-Zong Wu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13162674
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 16
p. 2674

Abstract

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With the popularization of lung cancer screening, many persistent subsolid nodules (SSNs) have been identified clinically, especially in Asian non-smokers. However, many studies have found that SSNs exhibit heterogeneous growth trends during long-term follow ups. This article adopted a narrative approach to extensively review the available literature on the topic to explore the definitions, rationale, and clinical application of different interval growths of subsolid pulmonary nodule management and follow-up strategies. The development of SSN growth thresholds with different growth patterns could support clinical decision making with follow-up guidelines to reduce over- and delayed diagnoses. In conclusion, using different SSN growth thresholds could optimize the follow-up management and clinical decision making of SSNs in lung cancer screening programs. This could further reduce the lung cancer mortality rate and potential harm from overdiagnosis and over management.

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