Volume Doubling Time of Pulmonary Carcinoid Tumors Measured by Computed Tomography.
Publication/Presentation Date
11-1-2022
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary carcinoid tumor (PCT) is a rare neuroendocrine lung neoplasm comprising approximately 2% of lung cancer diagnoses. It is classified as either localized low-grade (typical) or intermediate-grade (atypical) subtypes. PCT is known clinically to be a slow-growing cancer, however few studies have established its true growth rate when followed over time by computed tomography (CT). Therefore, we sought to determine the volume doubling time for PCTs as visualized on CT imaging.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all PCTs treated at our institution between 2006 and 2020. Nodule dimensions were measured using a Picture Archiving and Communication System or retrieved from radiology reports. Volume doubling time was calculated using the Schwartz formula for PCTs followed by successive CT scans during radiographic surveillance. Consistent with Fleischner Society guidelines, tumors were considered to have demonstrated definitive growth by CT only when the interval change in tumor diameter was greater than or equal to 2 mm.
RESULTS: The median volume doubling time of 13 typical PCTs was 977 days, or 2.7 years. Five atypical PCTs were followed longitudinally, with a median doubling time of 327 days, or 0.9 years.
CONCLUSIONS: Typical pulmonary carcinoid features a remarkably slow growth rate as compared to more common lung cancers. Our analysis of atypical pulmonary carcinoid included too few cases to offer definitive conclusions. It is conceivable that clinicians following current nodule surveillance guidelines may mistake incidentally detected typical carcinoids for benign non-growing lesions when followed for less than 2 years in low-risk patients.
Volume
23
Issue
7
First Page
453
Last Page
453
ISSN
1938-0690
Published In/Presented At
Russ, D. H., Barta, J. A., Evans, N. R., Stapp, R. T., & Kane, G. C. (2022). Volume Doubling Time of Pulmonary Carcinoid Tumors Measured by Computed Tomography. Clinical lung cancer, 23(7), e453–e459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cllc.2022.06.006
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
35922364
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article