Evaluating Imaging-Based Techniques for Diagnosis and Analysis of Lung Adenocarcinoma

This research examines and compares key imaging-based diagnostic techniques—MRI, CT, PET-CT, and CECT—used in identifying and analyzing Lung Adenocarcinoma (LUAD), a prevalent and highly fatal subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study systematically evaluates the diagnostic performance of these modalities through a review of prior clinical data and gene expression analyses, focusing on their ability to detect true positive (TP), true negative (TN), false positive (FP), and false negative (FN) cases. It highlights the relationship between tumour biology, gene-level variations such as ENO1 expression, and their impact on imaging efficacy. Specifically, the findings indicate that PET/CT, due to its functional imaging capability and sensitivity to metabolic activity, demonstrates greater utility in detecting Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LUSC) than LUAD, though both benefit from multimodal imaging approaches.

Through an extensive review of clinical literature, the paper underscores how CT remains a critical tool for anatomical mapping, lymph node evaluation, and surgical planning, while PET-CT adds functional depth by distinguishing metabolically active tumours using radioactive tracers like FDG. MRI, although not a primary tool for lung imaging, proves valuable in detecting metastases in the brain and chest wall. Each modality’s advantages and limitations—ranging from radiation exposure and cost to resolution limits—are critically assessed in context. The author integrates biological insight with imaging performance to argue that diagnostic precision depends on matching the imaging method to tumour type, stage, and patient condition.

Ultimately, the study positions diagnostic imaging as both a technological and biological interface—where understanding tumour metabolism, gene expression, and radiologic behavior can optimize early detection and clinical decision-making. It concludes that a multi-level diagnostic approach combining CT, PET-CT, and molecular testing enhances diagnostic accuracy for LUAD, paving the way for more individualized and effective cancer management.