RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Clinical course of asymptomatic small enhancing brain nodules in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer: do we have to follow them up?
JF ERJ Open Research
JO erjor
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 00109-2020
DO 10.1183/23120541.00109-2020
VO 6
IS 3
A1 Hyun Woo Lee
A1 Jaeyoung Cho
A1 Nakwon Kwak
A1 Inpyeong Hwang
A1 Young Sik Park
A1 Chang-Hoon Lee
A1 Sang-Min Lee
A1 Chul-Gyu Yoo
A1 Young Whan Kim
A1 Sun Mi Choi
YR 2020
UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/6/3/00109-2020.abstract
AB Aims Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended during the initial work-up for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Although small enhancing brain nodules not radiologically confirmed as metastatic lesions have often been detected, their clinical course has not been well studied.Methods This nested case–control study included NSCLC patients who had small enhancing brain nodules detected by serial brain MRIs from January 2014 through December 2018 at a tertiary university hospital. Small enhancing brain nodules were defined as round enhancing nodules of ≤10 mm diameter without oedema in thin-section (1 mm) contrast MRIs. The incidence, natural course and risk factors of growing nodules were evaluated.Results A total of 171 small enhancing brain nodules in 123 patients were observed over an average of 22.1 months. The incidence of nodule growth was 49.1% with mean growth rate of 11 mm·year−1. We found that 25.0% of the growing nodules contributed to clinical upstaging compared to the initial stage. Cerebral events were more common in growing nodules; therefore, local therapy was performed more often. However, there was no difference in the cerebral event-related mortality. Nodule growth was more frequent in younger individuals, multiple nodules, advanced disease, poorly differentiated carcinoma, rim enhancement and larger initial size. In multivariable analysis, predictors of growth were N stage ≥1, existence of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation and larger initial size.Conclusion Considering the clinical course of small enhancing brain nodules, more intensive evaluation is required for early detection and pre-emptive intervention when accompanied by risk factors.Small enhancing brain nodules are found in 4.1% of NSCLC. Growth is found in the 49.1% with a rate of 11.0 mm per year. Lymph node metastasis, EGFR mutation and larger diameter are risk factors for growth. https://bit.ly/2ALqhhM