Imaging Features of Lung Ground-Glass Nodules and Their Correlation With Biological Behavior

TL;DR

This paper reviews how lung ground-glass nodules appear on imaging and how these features relate to cancer risk and outcomes.

Contribution

It systematically analyzes recent research to clarify the link between imaging features and biological behavior of GGNs.

Findings

Imaging features like size and shape correlate with pathological types and molecular markers.

Dynamic changes in GGNs help assess tumor behavior and prognosis.

There are still gaps in understanding specific correlations between imaging and biological behavior.

Abstract

Ground-glass nodules (GGNs) in the lungs are common and clinically significant manifestations in pulmonary imaging, drawing significant attention because of their potential for malignant transformation. With the popularization of low-dose CT screening, the detection rate of GGNs has significantly increased; however, their imaging characteristics are complex and diverse, posing challenges for clinical diagnosis and management. Current research mainly focuses on the imaging features of GGNs, such as size, shape, edge characteristics, and dynamic changes, gradually revealing their intrinsic connections with pathological types and molecular biological markers. However, there are still controversies and gaps in research regarding the specific correlations between imaging features, tumor biological behavior, and prognosis. This paper conducts a literature search using the PubMed/MEDLINE database with keywords including GGO, alveolar wall shadows, part-solid nodules, and subsolid nodules to find relevant studies. The terms used include GGO, GGN, and alveolar wall nodules. It analyzes the latest research progress on the imaging characteristics of lung GGNs and their biological behavior, systematically exploring their application value in pathological typing, molecular marker expression, and clinical prognosis assessment. The aim is to provide scientific evidence for clinical risk stratification, individualized treatment, and follow-up strategy formulation, thereby promoting the early diagnosis and precise treatment of lung cancer.

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