CT – Page 2 – Oral Cancer News

CT characteristics of resolving ground-glass opacities in a lung cancer screening programme

Source: Eur J Radiol, October 3, 2009 Author: L Felix et al. Purpose: This study aimed at evaluating the computed tomography (CT) characteristics of resolving localized ground-glass opacities (GGOs) in a screening programme for lung cancer. Material and Methods: 280 patients at high-risk for lung cancer (221 men, 59 women; mean age, 58.6 years), divided into four groups (lung cancer history (n=83), head and neck cancer history (n=63), symptomatic (n=88) and asymptomatic (n=46) cigarette smokers), were included in a prospective trial with annual low-dose CT for lung cancer screening. We retrospectively reviewed all localized GGOs, analyzed the CT characteristics on initial CT scans and changes during follow-up (median 29.1 months). Variables associated with resolution of GGOs were tested using chi-square or Mann-Whitney tests. Results: A total of 75 GGOs were detected in 37 patients; 54.7% were present at baseline and 45.3% appeared on annual CT. During follow-up, 56.2% persisted and 43.8% disappeared. The resolving localized GGOs were significantly more often lobular GGOs (p=0.006), polygonal in shape (p=0.02), mixed (p=0.003) and larger (p<0.0001) than non-resolving localized GGOs. Conclusion: Localized GGOs are frequent and many disappeared on follow-up. CT characteristics of resolving GGOs show significant differences compared to persistent ones. This study emphasizes the importance of short-term CT follow-up in subjects with localized GGOs. Authors: L Felix, G Serra-Tosio, S Lantuejoul, J F Timsit, D Moro-Sibilot, C Brambilla, and G R Ferretti Authors' affiliation: Clinique Universitaire de Radiologie et Imagerie Médicale, Université Grenoble I, CHU Grenoble, France

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-10-13T13:24:48-07:00October, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Periodic CT detects pulmonary metastases among head and neck cancer patients

Source: CancerConsultants.com Author: staff Among patients with head and neck cancer who are at a high risk for metastases, periodic computed tomography (CT) scans can be highly effective for detecting pulmonary metastases. Head and neck cancers originate in the oral cavity (lip, mouth, tongue), salivary glands, paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, pharynx (upper back part of the throat), larynx (voice box), and lymph nodes in the upper part of the neck. Worldwide, head and neck cancer is diagnosed in approximately 640,000 people annually and is responsible for approximately 350,000 deaths each year. Some patients with head and neck cancer are at a higher risk of developing cancer spread (metastasis). One of the common places of metastasis is to the lung, referred to as pulmonary metastasis. Researchers continue to evaluate ways in which to detect metastasis so that detection and treatment may occur in its earliest phases. Researchers from Taiwan recently conducted a clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness of chest CT scans in early detection of pulmonary metastases among patients with head and neck cancer. This trial included 192 patients over nearly 4 years, during which time CT scans of the chest were intermittently performed. Approximately one-third of patients had abnormal chest CT scans. Nearly 70% of patients with an abnormal scan ultimately demonstrated disease progression. The researchers concluded that patients with head and neck cancer who are at a high risk of developing pulmonary metastases may benefit from intermittent chest CT scans for early detection of pulmonary metastases. Patients with [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-10-29T06:46:41-07:00October, 2008|Oral Cancer News|

Chest scans may help monitor spread of head and neck cancer in high-risk patients

Source: www.sciencedaily.com Author: staff Among high-risk patients with head and neck cancer, chest computed tomography (CT) may help detect disease progression involving the lungs, according to a new report. Developing a second, distant cancer (a metastasis or a new primary cancer) is an important factor affecting survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, which accounts for most head and neck cancers, according to background information in the article. The most common site at which such patients develop new metastases is the lungs, with an incidence of 8 percent to 15 percent. Chest X-rays are the most commonly used screening tool for detecting these malignancies but do not always identify early abnormalities. Yen-Bin Hsu, M.D., of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, and colleagues evaluated 270 screening chest CT scans performed over 42 months in 192 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The scans were categorized as new cases, follow-up cases or recurrent cases, and results classified as normal or abnormal. Of the 270 scans, 79 (29.3 percent) were considered abnormal, including 54 (20 percent) that identified a malignant neoplasm of the lung and 25 (9.3 percent) showing indeterminate abnormalities. "The rate of an abnormal scan was significantly higher in the follow-up case group (44.2 percent) than in the new case group (14.2 percent)," the authors write. Patients whose cancer was classified as stage N2 or N3 (indicating some degree of lymph node involvement), who had stage IV disease (in which the cancer has spread to another [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-10-21T07:57:51-07:00October, 2008|Oral Cancer News|