Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Neoplastic Ground-Glass Nodules

Abstract

Lung cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor globally, carrying the highest mortality rate among all malignancies (Bray F, Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, et al., 2018). Adenocarcinoma stands as the most frequent histological subtype (Hansell DM, Bankier AA, MacMahon H, et al., 2008). The widespread adoption of Low-dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer screening has led to a surge in lung nodule detection rates. Ground-glass nodules exhibit a higher malignancy rate compared to solid nodules, underscoring the significance of qualitative diagnosis. This plays a pivotal role in determining subsequent treatment modalities and patient prognosis. Distinguishing between neoplastic and non-neoplastic ground-glass nodules primarily hinges on their CT characteristics, including size, shape, lobulation, spiculation, and air bronchogram. Nevertheless, certain morphological features of GGNs pose challenges in differentiation, thereby complicating clinical diagnosis. As a result, this article conducts a review of pertinent prior studies and guidelines, encompassing the imaging attributes and discrimination of GGNs, neoplastic GGNs’ pathological subtypes, and clinical management strategies.