Stepwise evolution from a focal pure pulmonary ground-glass opacity nodule into an invasive lung adenocarcinoma: an observation for more than 10 years.
The natural chronologic evolution of a lung cancer manifesting as a pure ground-glass opacity (GGO) nodule on CT scans still remains to be elucidated. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to determine proper follow-up examinations, particularly in case of GGO nodule growing slowly on serial CT scans. In the current case, we demonstrate serial morphologic (CT) and metabolic ((18)F-FDG PET) imaging findings in a case of adenocarcinoma, where stepwise progression from a focal pure GGO nodule (presumed atypical adenomatous hyperplasia [AAH] or bronchioloalveolar carcinoma [BAC]) eventually to an invasive adenocarcinoma was clearly depicted for more than 10-year follow-up period. This case seems to be useful for the prediction of tumor growth pattern and aggressiveness of malignant pure GGO nodules. In addition, the evolving process of this case may suggest a guideline for planning an appropriate follow-up examination and management in such cases.
Min
Ji Hye
JH
Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 135-710, Republic of Korea.
Lee
Ho Yun
HY
Lee
Kyung Soo
KS
Han
Joungho
J
Park
Keunchil
K
Ahn
Myung-Ju
MJ
Lee
Su-Jin
SJ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D003074:Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed