[Lung Nodules Assessment--Analysis of Four Guidelines]

In the past 20 years, with the popularization of low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening, detection rate of lung nodules increased significantly. However, there are still many difficulties in making qualitative diagnosis for pulmonary nodules. The Lung nodule is a clinical common lung disease. The early onset for malignant nodules is quite hidden. Without early intervention, the course of disease can develop rapidly. For malignant nodules, the exacerbation can be very severe. Besides, the therapeutic effect can be unsatisfactory. If the lesion resection can be performed in early stage, lung cancer patients' prognosis can be improved significantly. At present, the guidelines of lung nodules' treatment are diverse, but these guidelines still can't reach a consensus until now. This article reviews the literature in National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules, Fleischner society lung cancer treatment strategy guide, and clinical practice consensus guidelines for Asia, which are pertaining to lung nodules diagnosis and treatment strategy and try to explain the similarities and differences between them.