Published in:
16-05-2023 | Computed Tomography | Original Article
Comparison of radiological and pathological tumor sizes in resected non-small cell lung cancer
Published in: General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery | Issue 12/2023
Login to get accessAbstract
Objectives
In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), T factor plays an important role in determining staging. The present study aimed to determine the validity of preoperative evaluation of clinical T (cT) factor by comparing radiological and pathological tumor sizes.
Methods
Data for 1,799 patients with primary NSCLC who underwent curative surgery were investigated. The concordance between cT and pathological T (pT) factors was analyzed. Furthermore, we compared groups with an increase or decrease of ≥ 20% and groups with an increase or decrease of < 20% in the size change between preoperative radiological and pathological diameters.
Results
The mean sizes of the radiological solid components and the pathological invasive tumors were 1.90 cm and 1.99 cm, respectively, correlation degree = 0.782. The group with increased pathological invasive tumor size (≥ 20%) compared with the radiologic solid component was significantly more likely female, consolidation tumor ratio (CTR) ≤ 0.5, and within cT1. Multivariate logistic analysis identified CTR < 1, cT ≤ T1, and adenocarcinoma as independent risk factors for increased pT factor.
Conclusion
The radiological invasive area of tumors with cT1, CTR < 1, or adenocarcinoma on preoperative CT may be underestimated compared with pathological invasive diameter.