The utility of nodule volume in the context of malignancy prediction for small pulmonary nodules

Abstract

Background: An estimated 150,000 pulmonary nodules are identifi ed each year, and the number is likely to increase given the results of the National Lung Screening Trial. Decision tools are needed to help with the management of such pulmonary nodules. We examined whether adding any of three novel functions of nodule volume improves the accuracy of an existing malignancy prediction model of CT scan-detected nodules. Methods: Swensen's 1997 prediction model was used to estimate the probability of malignancy in CT scan-detected nodules identifi ed from a sample of 221 patients at the Medical University of South Carolina between 2006 and 2010. Three multivariate logistic models that included a novel function of nodule volume were used to investigate the added predictive value. Several measures were used to evaluate model classification performance. Results: With use of a 0.5 cutoff associated with predicted probability, the Swensen model correctly classifi ed 67% of nodules. The three novel models suggested that the addition of nodule volume enhances the ability to correctly predict malignancy;83%, 88%, and 88% of subjects were correctly classifi ed as having malignant or benign nodules, with significant net improved reclassification for each( P