Cheng DL, Hu YX, Hu PQ, Wen G, Liu K. Clinicopathological and multisection CT features of primary pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
Clin Radiol 2017;
72:610.e1-610.e7. [PMID:
28292512 DOI:
10.1016/j.crad.2017.02.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2016] [Revised: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM
To delineate the multisection computed tomography (MSCT) features and the clinical characteristics of primary pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma (PMEC). Prognostic factors were also analysed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the medical records and MSCT performance of histopathologically confirmed PMECs from 2007 to 2015.
RESULTS
A total of 83.3% of patients with high-grade PMECs were aged >40 years, whereas there were 1.5-times more women than men with low-grade PMECs. Cough (n=29) and haemoptysis (n=12) were the most common symptoms. Upon MSCT, 30 cases showed a round or lobulate mass, and few demonstrated bronchial-wall thickening or cavities. Distal obstruction (n=14) and "air crescent sign" (n=5) could be detected. Tumours showed mild (n=19), moderate (n=5), and marked enhancement (n=5). Moreover, 18 cases showed foci of low density in lesions. Mean survival for patients with low-grade PMECs was 59.2 months, whereas that for high-grade PMECs was 20.4 months; 3-year survival rates were 55% and 14%, respectively. Tumour staging was a significant independent predictor of survival according to the Cox proportional hazards model.
CONCLUSION
High-grade PMECs occurred more frequently in patients aged >40 years and were more predominant in men. Young females were predisposed to having low-grade PMECs. MSCT revealed an oval or lobulate mass with mild enhancement, as manifested by calcification and visible mucus lakes, which may be suggestive of PMECs. Furthermore, a central nodule or mass may suggest low-grade PMECs; high-grade PMECs tend to be peripheral and associated with lymph-node metastasis. Pathological grade, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage correlate with the survival of patients with PMEC.
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