WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-EP.01.14 Pulmonary Pure Ground-Glass Nodule Follow-Up During Pregnancy and Lactation: A Case Report

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This case report discusses the follow-up of a pulmonary pure ground-glass nodule (pGGN) in a 31-year-old woman throughout pregnancy and lactation. Pure ground-glass nodules are typically managed with observation until morphological changes prompt intervention. However, management is controversial for young women considering pregnancy due to potential effects of hormonal fluctuations on nodule progression.<br /><br />In this case, a 6-mm pGGN with a CT attenuation of -570 HU was incidentally discovered in the patient’s left upper lung lobe during a routine health exam in early 2023. Since the nodule showed no suspicious features, active surveillance was recommended. The patient subsequently became pregnant in 2023, delivered in 2024, and breastfed for about one year.<br /><br />A follow-up CT scan performed in 2025 revealed the nodule was unchanged in size but showed increased attenuation (-450 HU). A multidisciplinary team reviewed the case and presented two options: surgical resection or continued monitoring. The patient opted to continue follow-up rather than undergo immediate surgery. Importantly, no new solid components or notable size changes occurred by the latest evaluation.<br /><br />The report highlights that although hormonal changes during pregnancy and lactation are known to influence certain cancers, their impact on pGGNs remains uncertain. In this instance, despite extended hormonal exposure, the nodule’s size remained stable, with only a slight increase in attenuation. The patient’s decision for close observation aligns with current cautious management of pGGNs. The authors conclude that long-term monitoring is essential to better understand pGGN behavior during pregnancy and lactation, guiding individualized treatment decisions for this special population.

Asset Subtitle

Baolei liang

Meta Tag

Speaker Baolei liang

Topic Risk Factors, Risk Reduction & Tobacco Control

Keywords

pulmonary pure ground-glass nodule

pGGN

pregnancy

lactation

hormonal fluctuations

CT attenuation

nodule progression

active surveillance

surgical resection

multidisciplinary team