MSCT Manifestations and Quantitative Dynamic Evolution of Lung Cancer Associated with Cystic Airspaces: A Retrospective Analysis of 102 Cases with Emphasis on Adenocarcinoma.

Authors

Xiaoqin Luo, Shan Lan, Chengwen Tong

Published in

Cancer management and research. Volume 18. Pages 611348. Epub Oct 07, 2026.

Abstract

Cystic lung cancer (CLC) refers to lung cancer associated with cystic airspaces. This study characterized the Multi-Slice Computed Tomography (MSCT) features of CLC, with subtype-specific and longitudinal analyses restricted to adenocarcinoma cases.
We retrospectively analyzed 102 patients with pathologically confirmed CLC at Renmin Hospital (2018-2025). Of these, 94 (92.2%) had adenocarcinoma, classified per the IASLC/ATS/ERS system; MSCT features were compared across subtypes using Chi-square tests. The 8 non-adenocarcinoma cases were described separately. A subgroup of 45 patients with serial CT (≥3-month interval), all with adenocarcinoma, was assessed for longitudinal changes.
The cohort included 64 males and 38 females (mean age 64.2 ± 11.7 years). Histology showed adenocarcinoma in 94 cases (42 acinar, 28 lepidic, 14 papillary, 10 solid/micropapillary), 6 squamous cell carcinomas, and 2 sarcomatoid carcinomas. In the 8 non-adenocarcinoma cases, irregular shape and uneven wall thickness each occurred in 7/8 (87.5%), wall nodules in 6/8 (75.0%). Overall, 78/102 (76.5%) lesions were irregular and 74/102 (72.5%) showed uneven wall thickness. In adenocarcinoma, uneven wall thickness (P = 0.008) and internal septations (P = 0.001) were associated with lepidic/acinar subtypes, whereas solid/micropapillary subtypes showed thicker walls and more frequent wall nodules. In the dynamic group (n=45), solid-component growth rate (1.21 ± 0.29 mm/month) exceeded cystic-airspace growth (0.31 ± 0.11 mm/month, P < 0.001) and correlated with follow-up interval (r = 0.81, P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis restricted to adenocarcinoma, wall thickness >4 mm was independently associated with solid/micropapillary subtypes (OR = 5.78, 95% CI 1.28-26.02, P = 0.022); other variables were nonsignificant trends.
CLC exhibits MSCT features that correlate with adenocarcinoma subtypes, with progressive solid-component growth over time. These observations are descriptive; prospective multicenter studies including benign cystic lesions and more non-adenocarcinoma cases are needed before diagnostic application.

PMID:
42861141
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 12 Oct 2026.

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