Medical image of the week: evolution of low grade adenocarcinoma

• Main Authors: Palacio D, Schmit B, Arteaga V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Arizona Thoracic Society 2017-03-01
• Series: Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care
• Subjects: lung; cancer; adenocarcinoma; CT scan; ground glass opacity; Fleishner Society; thoracic; serial; mass; nodule
• Online Access: http://www.swjpcc.com/imaging/2017/3/8/medical-image-of-the-week-evolution-of-low-grade-adenocarcin.html?SSScrollPosition=359

Ground glass lesions above 5 mm in greatest diameter found on chest computed tomography (CT) require initial followed up in 3 months according to the Fleischner Society Guidelines, to exclude a transient inflammatory focus (1). If persistent, surveillance for at least 24 months to confirm stability is recommended. Any change in size or density should warrant further action, ideally surgical consultation, given the suboptimal yield of percutaneous biopsy and risk of inappropriate staging if the whole lesion is not examined. This may result in the inability to recognize the transition from in-situ adenocarcinoma into minimally invasive or invasive lesions, which in turn results in inaccurate staging and prognosis.