Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Medical Science Pulse, cilt.17, sa.1, ss.32-38, 2023 (Hakemli Dergi)
Background: We have been encountering pulmonary nodules more frequently due to increased lung cancer screening programs and lung computed tomography imaging for other reasons. Although various guidelines have been developed regarding pulmonary nodules, uncertainty continues regarding the follow-up and management of pulmonary nodules. Aim of the study: To define the patient risk factors and pulmonary nodule characteristics that differentiate malignant nodules from benign nodules. Material and methods: Patients with pulmonary nodules detected between August 2014 and January 2019 in a university hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Data about patient risk factors (age, gender, smoking history, occupational and environmental risk factors, comorbidities, cancer history, and family history) and nodule characteristics (nodule diameter, nodule type, border properties, and nodule localization) were obtained. The features of malignant nodules and benign nodules were examined. Results: There were 40 patients with pulmonary nodules whose final diagnosis could be classified as benign or malignant. The mean age was 63.28 ± 12.06 years. Twenty-two (55%) patients were female. Eleven (27.5%) patients had never smoked. Nineteen (47.5%) patients were asymptomatic. Two of the nodules were malignant. There were no significant differences in mean age, gender, smoking history, comorbidities, occupational and environmental risk factors, familial risk factors, nodule type, nodule localization, nodule size, or nodule border properties between the benign and malignant nodules. Conclusions: There is considerable overlap in nodule characteristics and patient risk factors between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. Despite a comprehensive clinical and radiological evaluation, it is not easy to determine whether a nodule is benign or malignant.