Tumor growth and regression rates relative to tumor size: A clinical study of metastatic pulmonary nodules

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Abstract
Patients with multiple discrete metastatic pulmonary nodules were serially monitored, and tumor growth and regression rates were determined for selected measurable lesions. Tumor volume doubling time (TDT) in growing tumors or tumor volume halving time (THT) in regressing tumors was measured for multiple lesions. The objective of the study was to correlate tumor growth and/or regression rates with initial tumor size. Eight patients with 29 nodules of varying sizes were studied over observation periods of 6-35 mo. Seven of the patients had growing nodules; in 4 patients the nodules regressed in response to specific chemotherapy. Metastatic pulmonary nodules may grow or regress at a relatively constant rate that is independent of pretreatment size. Growth and regression rates do not generally fluctuate, although tumor nodules may remain stationary or arrested for variable time periods. The study of tumor kinetics by clinical techniques is relevant to understanding tumor biology and to developing approaches to therapy.