Are mixed ground-glass nodules all malignant? Mixed ground-glass nodules are not always malignant, but they may be a precursor to malignant disease. A mixed ground-glass nodule is a lung lesion characterized by a partially indistinct ground-glass opacity in the lung tissue with a partial solid component. Although mixed ground-glass nodules can be malignant, they can also be benign, such as inflammation, local fibrosis, or scarring.
Some time ago, I came to my outpatient clinic with a patient who was found to have a 5mm mixed ground-glass nodule in his right lung. After coming to my clinic, he directly told me that he had read a lot of popular science on the Internet, saying that mixed ground-glass nodules were the most dangerous, and he was very worried that his nodules were cancer. First of all, we do not target a specific nodule, but on the whole, mixed ground-glass nodules are indeed more dangerous than solid nodules and pure ground-glass nodules. But when it comes to specific nodules, of course, it's not so absolute. Although the nodule of this patient was mixed with ground glass, but the nodule was only 5mm, the patient took blood to check the seven antibodies of lung cancer, and the result was negative, which indicates that the nodule is at the cellular level, the growth is relatively slow, and the risk of malignant transformation is relatively low. I suggest that this patient come back for a follow-up examination in half a year, and it is still CT examination plus lung cancer seven-antibody blood test to dynamically monitor the trend of nodules.
In fact, whether it is a solid pulmonary nodule, a pure ground-glass pulmonary nodule or a mixed ground-glass nodule, the judgment of its quality needs to consider a number of factors. As the most important reference basis, CT images can provide information such as the size, shape, and edge of the nodule, and help doctors preliminarily determine the nature of the nodule. However, CT imaging alone is not sufficient to make a final diagnosis, as some benign nodules may also show malignant features on imaging.
Therefore, the results of the seven antibody blood tests for lung cancer are particularly important. By measuring the concentration of lung cancer-related antibodies in the blood, it can help determine the benign and malignant nodules and improve the accuracy of diagnosis. At the same time, the clinical manifestations of patients are also factors that cannot be ignored. For example, a history of long-term smoking, a family history of lung cancer, and chronic inflammation of the lungs may increase the risk of malignant nodules.
After discovering mixed ground-glass nodules, do not give yourself a "diagnosis". Even nodules with a high suspicion of malignancy require follow-up observation under the guidance of a doctor. Regularly review CT images and seven antibody blood tests for lung cancer, and pay close attention to the changes in nodules so that problems can be detected and treated in time.