Monitorization of pulmonary nodules in Turkey (MONITUR)

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary nodules are lesions within the lung parenchyma, surrounded by normal lung tissue. It is important to distinguish malignant nodules from other nodules at an early stage. This study aims to provide a national data on pulmonary nodule patients.

Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective study.1316 patients from 30 centers, between 01.01.2014 and 31.12.2019, who had at least two thorax computed tomographies (CT) during follow-up or who had a single CT with a histopathological diagnosis, were included.

Results: Of the 1316 patients, %39.9 were female, and the average age was 57.63 years. The average follow-up period was 20.21 months. The average diameter value varied between 8.6 and 14 mm. The most common location for nodules was the right lung and peripheral location. It was determined that PET/CT examination was requested in %30.9 (407) of the patients with pathological FDG uptake in pulmonary nodules were %51.1. Age, male gender and smoking were associated with malignancy. Irregular, lobulated, spicular edges and cavitary features were detected at higher rates in malignant nodules. The rate of stable nodules was %68 (873), the rate of progression was %10.4 (131). CT diameter was detected as a risk factor for malignancy (p<0.001). When the cut-off value for the first CT diameter was 10 mm, the sensitivity was found to be %88.2, the specificity was %76.08, the PPV was %55.04 and the NPV value was %95.1.