Safe and effective minimally invasive approaches for small ground glass opacity

Popularized computed tomography physical check up results in an increasing number of patients with ground glass opacity (GCO) lesions of which management has not been established yet.

From January 2004 to December 2008, 738 patients underwent pulmonary resection for primary lung cancer, and 96 (13.0%) with resected GGO lesions were included in this study. Pure GGO lesions sized less than 10 mm are monitored until they grow bigger or develop a core. Three-port video-assisted thoracic lobectomy with systematic lymph node dissection is indicated when the lesion diameter exceeds 15 mm or is invasive, and segmentectomy is indicated when the tumor diameter is 10 to 15 mm. Wedge resection is indicated when the tumor is peripherally located.

There was no procedurally related mortality or morbidity. There were 9 papillary adenocarcinomas or invasive bronchioloalveolar carcinomas, 75 noninvasive bronchioloalveolar cell carcinomas, 7 atypical adenomatous hyperplasias, and 5 organizing pneumonias. No local recurrence was observed.

Several pathologies are included in GGO lesions, and the video-assisted thoracic approach seems to be one of the best options in their management.