Simultaneously detected nodules in lung cancers

Introduction: To examine the clinical, radiological and radiometabolic (PET-CT) features of parenchymal nodules detected simultaneously during primary lung cancer diagnosis. Methods: Patients with primary lung cancer diagnosed between January 2014 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The cases were separated as parenchymal nodules detected and not detected during diagnosis. Patients with calcific nodules and with shorter follow-up (<6 months) were excluded. Nodules with unchanged size were considered as benign, while nodules increased or degreased in size or disappeared were considered as malignant. Results: The study included 195 cases (34 female, 161 male, mean age 60.7 ± 9.5). At the time of diagnosis, nodules were present in 73 (37.4%) cases. The number of benign lesions was 33 (45.2%), while the number of malignant lesions was 40 (54.8%). Characteristics of cases with and without nodules as well as malignant or benign cases are discussed. Discussion and Conclusion: The rate of synchronous nodule in diagnosis was 37.4%. Of these, 20.5% (40 cases) was malignant. There was no statistically significant difference between cases with and without nodules regarding histopathology, stage, treatment, smoking history, age, sex. There was no statistically significant difference between benign and malign nodules (histopathology, stage, smoking history, age, sex) except for nodule size and treatment characteristics. There was no difference between malignant and benign nodules based on radiological findings (border features, internal structure etc), whereas radiometabolic features were statistically significantly different.