Effectiveness of CT Histogram Analysis to Differentiate Lung Metastases From Second Primary Lung Cancer to Decrease Need for Lung Biopsy.

Summary: Doctors often find single spots, or nodules, on the lungs of cancer patients. It is difficult to tell if this spot is a new cancer starting in the lung or the old cancer spreading from elsewhere without performing a biopsy, which involves cutting into the lung. A new study looked at CT scans using a special computer analysis method. By measuring the texture and patterns inside the spot and the area immediately around it, the computer could tell the difference between the two types of cancer. This method shows promise as a way to diagnose these patients without needing painful surgery.