Staging methods and prognosis for lung cancers with air-filled cysts

T-Staging Strategies and Their Prognostic and Therapeutic Significance in Lung Cancer With Cystic Airspaces: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Observational Central South University · NCT07066813

The team will test different CT-based ways to measure tumor size to find the best staging method and predict outcomes for people with non-small cell lung cancer that have air-filled cystic parts.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment500 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorCentral South University Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Changsha, Hunan)
Trial IDNCT07066813 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study collects imaging, surgical, and pathological data from patients with histologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer who have an air-filled cystic component and underwent surgical resection. Investigators will compare alternative tumor-size measurement methods on preoperative chest CT and correlate those imaging measurements with postoperative pathology and patient outcomes. The study will analyze how specific CT features of the cystic lesions relate to pathological characteristics and to survival or recurrence. All data are collected at The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and require complete, high-quality preoperative chest CT scans.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with histologically confirmed NSCLC who underwent surgical lung resection and have complete preoperative chest CT showing a well-defined air-filled cystic component within the tumor are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients who received preoperative systemic anti-tumor therapy, have concurrent other malignancies, have other lung diseases that cause cystic lesions, or who lack adequate preoperative CT data are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to more accurate T-staging and better-informed treatment decisions for patients with lung cancer that has cystic airspaces.

How similar studies have performed: CT-based T-staging techniques have been applied to lung cancer broadly, but evidence specifically focused on tumors with cystic airspaces is limited, so this is a relatively novel, focused effort.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Histologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as verified by biopsy or postoperative pathological examination;
2. Patients who have undergone surgical lung resection;
3. Patients with complete preoperative chest CT imaging data;
4. Preoperative chest CT showing a well-defined gas-containing (air-filled) cystic component within the tumor.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of pulmonary diseases that could produce cystic lung lesions (e.g., tuberculosis, pulmonary fungal infections, bullae, emphysema, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis \[LAM\], or Birt-Hogg-Dubé \[BHD\] syndrome);
2. Systemic anti-tumor therapies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or targeted therapies (such as monoclonal antibodies, small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, among others), were administered prior to enrollment;
3. Patients with concurrent other malignancies;
4. Patients with missing or poor-quality preoperative chest CT imaging data.

Where this trial is running

Changsha, Hunan

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Lung Cancer Associated With Cystic Airspaces
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.