Will CT diagnose early lung cancer as pneumonia?

There is indeed a certain possibility of confusion in the diagnosis of early lung cancer and pneumonia during CT examinations, but experienced imaging doctors can effectively improve the accuracy of diagnosis through comprehensive analysis of imaging features and clinical symptoms. Early manifestations of lung cancer are similar to inflammation, and imaging misjudgment may occur, but combining multiple examination methods can reduce the risk of missed diagnosis.

Early lung cancer and pneumonia may show ground-glass opacities, localized infiltration, blurred edges and other features on CT images, so relying solely on CT may lead to misdiagnosis. The early symptoms of lung cancer are not obvious and are sometimes confused with the fever and cough symptoms of pneumonia, especially patients with chronic inflammation are more likely to be misdiagnosed. However, the nature of the lesions can be further clarified through dynamic follow-up CT, enhanced CT, PET-CT examinations, and bronchoscopic biopsy. Pneumonia usually improves significantly after antibiotic treatment and shows absorptive changes on the images, while lung cancer lesions do not have this reaction and may increase or worsen during follow-up.

Early lung cancer and pneumonia may show ground-glass opacities, localized infiltration, blurred edges and other features on CT images, so relying solely on CT may lead to misdiagnosis. The early symptoms of lung cancer are not obvious and are sometimes confused with the fever and cough symptoms of pneumonia, especially patients with chronic inflammation are more likely to be misdiagnosed. However, the nature of the lesions can be further clarified through dynamic follow-up CT, enhanced CT, PET-CT examinations, and bronchoscopic biopsy. Pneumonia usually improves significantly after antibiotic treatment and shows absorptive changes on the images, while lung cancer lesions do not have this reaction and may increase or worsen during follow-up.

If the patient has symptoms such as persistent cough, bloody sputum, weight loss, or imaging findings of lung lesions that are not sensitive to treatment, the possibility of early lung cancer should be alerted. It is recommended that tumor marker testing, lung function assessment, and necessary tissue biopsy be combined with imaging examinations to improve diagnostic efficiency and avoid delaying treatment. Any diagnostic results need to be observed regularly, and a specialist will formulate the next inspection or treatment plan.