title: Indeterminate pulmonary nodules: risk for having or for developing lung cancer?
abstract: This perspective discusses the report by Pinsky and colleagues, which addresses whether noncalcified pulmonary nodules identified on CT screening carry short- and long-term risk for lung cancer. We are facing challenges related to distinguishing a large majority of benign nodules from malignant ones and among those a majority of aggressive from indolent cancers. Key questions in determining individual probabilities of disease, given their history, findings on CT, and upcoming biomarkers of risk, remain most challenging. Reducing the false positives associated with current low-dose computed tomography practices and identification of individuals who need therapy and at what time during tumor surveillance could reduce costs and morbidities associated with unnecessary interventions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. Thoracic Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee. Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. pierre.massion@vanderbilt.edu.
authors.forename: Pierre P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Massion
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee. Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. Department of Radiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Ronald C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D055613:Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed