Imaging features of lung cancer with cystic airspaces: clinical utility, challenges, and perspectives - Takeaways - MDSpire

Imaging features of lung cancer with cystic airspaces: clinical utility, challenges, and perspectives

  • By

  • Mengyue Hu

  • Jinbao Feng

  • Xiaonan Shao

  • Yunmei Shi

  • Jianxiong Gao

  • Yaoting Zhu

  • Yuhao Fan

  • Yan Sun

  • Zhenxing Jiang

  • Rong Niu

  • Qianyun Wang

  • May 26, 2026

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  • 1

    Lung cancer with cystic airspaces (LCCA) is a rare subtype, accounting for 1-4% of lung cancer cases, primarily adenocarcinoma.

  • 2

    LCCA presents unique imaging challenges, often overlapping with benign conditions, complicating early diagnosis.

  • 3

    Current guidelines lack standardized protocols for LCCA management, with only Lung-RADS 2022 addressing cystic nodules.

  • 4

    Noninvasive imaging is crucial for preoperative evaluation of LCCA due to high false-negative rates in invasive procedures.

  • 5

    The article reviews advances in imaging modalities for LCCA, emphasizing the need for improved diagnostic and prognostic strategies.

Original Source(s)

Imaging features of lung cancer with cystic airspaces: clinical utility, challenges, and perspectives

  • by Mengyue Hu, Jinbao Feng, Xiaonan Shao, Yunmei Shi, Jianxiong Gao, Yaoting Zhu, Yuhao Fan, Yan Sun, Zhenxing Jiang, Rong Niu, Qianyun Wang

  • May 26, 2026

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