Diagnosis and surgical treatment of operable lung cancer with intrapulmonary nodules

Objective To study the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of non-small cell lung cancer（NSCLC） with intrapulmonary nodules. Methods Clinical data about 31 patients who underwent surgery for NSCLC with intrapulmonary nodules were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of the 31 patients with 40 pulmonary nodules,10 were diagnosed as malignant,19 as benign,and 2 as uncertain.The incidence of lung cancer was significantly higher in stageⅠ NSCLC patients than in stage Ⅲ NSCLC patients and in phase 3 NSCLC patients with pulmonary nodules than in stageⅠ NSCLC patients with pulmonary nodules. Conclusion Differential diagnosis of NSCLC with pulmonary nodules is very important for the selection of its treatment modality.Surgical treatment is recommended for stageⅠ NSCLC patients with pulmonary nodules.