Are ground glass nodules lung cancer? Experts appear in micro-movies to popularize science: Never talk about "grinding" to change your appearance

　　China News Service, Shanghai, February 2 (Reporter Chen Jing) As low-dose thin-section CT is widely used in physical examinations, more and more asymptomatic pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGNs) have been discovered. Are GGNs lung cancer? Do they all need surgery immediately?

With the support of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission's "Technology Innovation Action Plan" special science popularization project, Professor Zhang Guozhen and Chief Physician Zhang Huibiao appeared in a popular science micro film to spread knowledge about pulmonary ground glass nodules. (Photo courtesy of Huadong Hospital)

　　In reality, with the professional terms "ground glass" and "nodule" and the misunderstanding that "nodules equal cancer", "pulmonary ground glass nodules" have attracted widespread attention. Chief Physician Zhang Huibiao, a thoracic surgery expert at Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University (hereinafter referred to as Shanghai Huadong Hospital), told reporters in an interview on the 2nd that pulmonary ground-glass nodules refer to cloud-like thin shadows/round nodules in the lungs. Because they look like Frosted glass, hence the name. "In clinical diagnosis and treatment, some patients with asymptomatic pulmonary ground-glass nodules have indeed been diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer." Zhang Huibiao pointed out, "However, pulmonary ground-glass nodules are mostly stable nodules and are not equivalent to lung cancer."

　　The reporter learned that day that the popular science micro-movie "Don't Talk About "Grinding"" starring the true colors of experts was launched on multiple platforms. With the support of the Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan of the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Professor Zhang Guozhen, a radiology expert at Shanghai East Hospital and known as the "Oriental Eye of God", and Chief Physician Zhang Huibiao appeared in their true colors to spread knowledge about pulmonary ground glass nodules.

　　In the micro-movie, a ground glass nodule with a diameter of only 5 mm caused nervousness for a prospective couple and their family members. They consulted everywhere and finally received a scientific diagnosis from veteran expert Zhang Guozhen. In the play, thoracic surgery expert Zhang Huibiao gives a detailed and scientific explanation of the problem of pulmonary ground-glass nodules, and tells everyone how to correctly deal with pulmonary ground-glass nodules.

　　Zhang Huibiao explained that pulmonary ground-glass nodules are an imaging manifestation. In clinical practice, about 1/3 of pulmonary ground-glass nodules are benign lung lesions that will gradually shrink or even completely disappear; about 1/3 of pulmonary ground-glass nodules are stable for a long time; only 1/3 persist and gradually disappear. There is a tendency for malignant transformation.

　　According to the expert, ground-glass nodules of different sizes have different possibilities of malignant transformation. Clinical studies have shown that when the nodule diameter is >20 mm, the likelihood of malignancy is as high as 64% to 82%. Nowadays, when the public discovers pulmonary ground-glass nodules during physical examination, some people will "talk about the discoloration of the nodules", while others will be careless.

　　"Both of these attitudes are undesirable." Zhang Huibiao said bluntly that some patients develop anxiety and even depression after learning that they have pulmonary nodules. They will indiscriminately ask doctors to perform surgical removal, which not only causes unnecessary damage, but also leads to a waste of medical resources. Some patients will seek medical treatment indiscriminately and seek "recipes" everywhere, which will harm their health. Other patients who do not take ground-glass nodules seriously may lose the opportunity for early treatment after tumor progression, affecting the patient's prognosis.

　　During the interview, Zhang Huibiao shared two clinical cases. A patient was found to have a 5mm ground glass nodule in the lungs. "In the one month before coming to my clinic, he (she) had visited 8 hospitals and seen multiple expert clinics. The conclusions he got were all 'follow-up and re-examination with CT in one year'. But he was still worried. Zhang Huibiao said, "I explained to him patiently, and finally he felt relieved and went back. However, I also understand that this patient may go to the 10th or 11th hospital for confirmation."

　　Another clinical case shared by Zhang Huibiao is that an old man discovered a nearly 3cm mixed ground-glass nodule in his lung 4 years ago. The report clearly stated that "lung cancer is highly likely." However, this old gentleman did not go to the doctor for follow-up consultation or regular check-ups. "When he came to me, his lung cancer had metastasized to the bones and was in the advanced stage." Zhang Huibiao said.

　　What is the correct attitude towards ground glass nodules? Zhang Huibiao said that for patients with ground glass nodules, there is no need to panic. They should go to a regular hospital for regular follow-up and let the doctor make a judgment. During the interview, the reporter learned that previously, Shanghai Huadong Hospital took the lead in establishing a multidisciplinary collaboration team for small pulmonary nodules. The hospital told reporters that the cooperation of multidisciplinary experts can help develop precise and individualized response strategies for patients with micropulmonary nodules, especially patients with microscopic lung cancer.

　　Bao Zhijun, president of Shanghai Huadong Hospital, said that this popular science microfilm will not only help improve the public's awareness and understanding of pulmonary ground-glass nodules, but also help enhance the public's scientific quality and health literacy. “I believe that through innovative forms of science popularization, we will be able to better popularize medical knowledge,” he said.

　　Gao Wen, president of the Thoracic Surgeons Branch of the Shanghai Medical Association, pointed out that timely discovery, accurate diagnosis and scientific treatment are the keys to the treatment of pulmonary ground-glass nodules. Regarding obscure medical professional knowledge, how to use simple, direct, and interesting popular science methods to help patients better understand and understand the disease and avoid unnecessary fear and uneasiness is a question that medical workers continue to think about. He believes: “By conveying correct medical information to the public, we can reduce patients’ anxiety, promote patients to treat health problems more rationally, and help establish a closer doctor-patient relationship.” (End)