Management of screening-detected ground glass nodules: a narrative review

Wide-scale application of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in lung cancer screening has led to an increased detection of ground glass nodule (GGN) lesions. However, there is still no clear management plan for these lesions after detection. Clinicians are usually faced with a dilemma in choosing the best initial management approach that not only limits overtreatment but also avoids the possibility of lesions growing into invasive carcinoma. Most current and past guidelines favor surveillance with computed tomography (CT) as the initial management approach based on the notion that the majority of GGN lesions are indolent tumors. Immediate surgery is generally considered overtreatment and is usually only recommended when the lesion grows in size, persists, or increases its solid component during follow-up CT surveillance. However, due to evolution of surgery to minimal invasive procedures, such as uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery, and the development of enhanced recovery after thoracic surgery protocols, modern surgery is now safer and associated with less postoperative mortality. Additionally, intraoperative frozen sections can be used to guide resection, making initial management via surgery more attractive than before. Based on these developments, this review recommends that immediate surgery should be considered at the same level as follow-up CT surveillance when making multidisciplinary team decisions for screening-detected GGNs, as it provides both a diagnostic and treatment role.