Heuvelmans MA et al. - Based on the current study, CT screening for lung cancer revealed thatthe nodule count does not differentiate between benign and malignant nodules. Moreover, each nodule detected during lung cancer screening should be assessed separately independent of the presence of other nodules.

Methods
3392 patients with at least one baseline nodule on CT screening for lung cancer were enrolled.
The nodule count per patient was determined and malignancy was confirmed by histologic evaluation.

Results
1746 patients had one nodule, 800 had 2nodules, 354 had 3 nodules, 191 had 4 nodules, and 301 had > 4 nodules.
Lung cancer was diagnosed in 134 patients.
Malignancy was most often detected in the largest nodule (63/65 cancers). Lung cancer probability was 62/1746 for patients with 1 nodule, 33/800 for 2 nodules, 17/354 for 3 nodules, 12/191 for 4 nodules, and 10/301 for > 4 nodules.