Lung Nodules, Undiagnosed Pulmonary Nodules
Conditions
Brief summary
In recent years, more and more people are having lung CT scans performed to screen for various cancers. Many of them have small abnormalities detected, called nodules, which - for a variety of reasons - doctors are unable to biopsy. As a result, many patients have their CT scans repeated on a regular basis to see if their nodules grow. This process can last several years. Many patients experience significant anxiety during this process, when they are aware of a spot in the lung, but are not told any specific cause. Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering have developed a new way to look at lung nodules in three dimensions. The purpose of this project is to see if any change in the nodules can be detected sooner by this method than by traditional CT scans.
Interventions
PROCEDURECT Scan
All patients will undergo serial CT scans after 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months as is standard care. Nodules are to be scanned at 2.5mm collimation / 1.25 mm reconstruction. This resolution is necessary for volume measurements of nodules less than 1cm in diameter.
Sponsors
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Referral to the pulmonary or thoracic surgery service for undiagnosed pulmonary nodules. * History of smoking exceeding 10 pack-years (pack year defined as number of packs of cigarettes per day multiplied by the number of years smoked). * Age \>18 * Nodule size 5 to 15 mm in diameter.
Exclusion criteria
* Clinical indication for immediate biopsy via bronchoscopy, fine needle aspiration, or video-assisted thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) * Active lung cancer or metastasis to the lung. * Contraindication to needle biopsy. * Pneumonectomy * Need for supplemental oxygen. * Radiation pneumonitis * Interstitial lung disease.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| To collect preliminary data regarding the comparative sensitivity and specificity of conventional CT scan and three-dimensional CT for detecting the growth of nonspecific pulmonary nodules. | conclusion of the study |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| To determine three-dimensional characteristics of pulmonary nodules which may discriminate between benign and malignant diseases. | conclusion of the study |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed