Lung Cancers Associated With Cystic Airspaces: Natural History, Pathologic Correlation, and Mutational Analysis

Conclusions: Cystic airspaces preceded by nodules can evolve into NSCLCs. Wall thickening and/or mural nodularity may develop. Location in the periphery of the upper lobes, emphysema, additional cystic lesions or ground-glass nodules, lymphadenopathy, and prior lung cancer should further increase suspicion. Cystic airspaces on CT can be due to a check-valve mechanism obstructing the small airways, lepidic growth of adenocarcinoma in an area of emphysema, cystification of tumor due to degeneration, or adenocarcinoma growing along the wall of a preexisting bulla. KRAS mutations are the predominant genetic alterations.
Source: Journal of Thoracic Imaging - Category: Radiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research