Risk of adenocarcinoma in patients with a suspicious ground-glass opacity: a retrospective review

BACKGROUND: Both primary lung adenocarcinoma and benign processes can have a ground-glass opacity (GGO) appearance on imaging. This study evaluated the incidence of and risk factors for malignancy in a diverse cohort of patients who underwent resection of a GGO suspicious for lung cancer. METHODS: All patients who underwent resection of a pulmonary nodule with a GGO component and suspected to be primary lung cancer at a single institution from 2001–2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Risk factors for malignancy were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis that included nodule size, age, sex, and race as potential predictors. RESULTS: The incidence of pulmonary adenocarcinoma in the 243 patients who met inclusion criteria was 86% (n=208). The most common pathologic findings in 35 patients with a benign pathology was granulomatous inflammation (n=14, 40%). Risk factors for adenocarcinoma in multivariable logistic regression were age [odds ratio (OR) 1.06, P=0.003], GGO size (OR 2.76, P<0.001), female sex (OR 4.47, P=0.002), and Asian race (OR 8.35, P=0.002). In this cohort, adenocarcinoma was found in 100% (44/44) of Asian females, 86% (25/29) of Asian males, 84% (98/117) of non-Asian females, and 77% (41/53) of non-Asian males. CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of adenocarcinoma in lung nodules with a ground-glass component is influenced by sex and race. Asian females with a GGO have a much higher likelihood of having adenocarcinoma than men and non-Asians. This data can be used when deciding whether to pursue nodule resection or surveillance in a patient with a GGO.