Role of PET Role of PET-CT in Pulmonary Malignancy

Age: Risk of malignancy increases with age.– Risk of 3% at age 35-3939 years– Risk of 15% at age 40-4949 years– Risk of 43% at age 50-5959 years– Risk of greater than 50% in persons older than 60 yearsSmoking history: A history of smoking increases the chances of the SPN being malignant.Prior history of cancer: People with a history of cancer in other areas of the body have a greater chancethat the SPN is malignant.Occupational risk factors for lung cancer: Exposure to asbestos, radon, nickel, chromium, vinyl chloride,and polycyclic hydrocarbons increases the chance that the SPN is malignant.Travel history: People who have traveled to areas with endemic mycosis (eg, histoplasmosis,coccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis) or a high prevalence of tuberculosis have a higher chance of the SPNbeing benign.People who have a history of tuberculosis or pulmonary mycosis have a greater chance of the SPN beingbenign.