Relationship between EGFR mutation and computed tomography features in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between EGFR mutation and computed tomography (CT) features in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Methods: Ninety-eight patients who was diagnosed with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between January 2023 and May 2025 at Thai Nguyen National hospital, had undergone a chest CT and EGFR
mutation testing were enrolled in this study. The 98 recruited non small cell lung cancer patients were divided into two groups according to EGFR mutation status: patients with EGFR mutations (n=35) and non-mutated (n=63). The clinical characteristics and CT imaging features of two groups were recorded and compared. Chi-square test was used to evaluate the colleration between categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors relevant to EGFR gene mutation.
Results: Of 98 patients, 35 (35.7%) were EGFR mutation-positive. Chi-square test revealed that EGFR mutation appeared more frequently in female (p=0.007), patient with adenomcarcinoma lung cancer (p=0.028), tumors showing halo sign (p=0.000), pleural retraction (p=0.044) and pleural effusion (p=0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that female gender (OR 3.306), lung CT features of halo sign (OR 5.186), pleural retraction (OR 2.779) and pleural effusion (OR 4.15) were independent risk factors relevant to EGFR mutation.
Conclusion: Female patients with lung CT features of halo sign, pleural retraction and pleural effusion are more prone to harbor EGFR gene mutation and are more likely to benefit from targeted therapy.