Significance Of Serum Hepatocyte Growth Factor In Diagnosis Of Malignant Solitary Pulmonary Nodules

ObjectiveTo figure out the difference of serum hepatocyte growth factor(S-HGF) level between benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules(SPNs) patients. To analyse the difference of S-HGF level in malignant SPNs group and set the risk level of S-HGF for surgical treatment. Materials and methodsThe study comprised 42 serum samples from SPNs patients and 10 serum samples of healthy donors. The HGF level was measured by the commercially enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) kit. The 42 cases were divided into benign SPNs group(12 cases)and malignant SPNs group(30 cases) by postoperative pathology. Along with 10 healthy adults, it’s up to three groups(52 cases in total). Analyse the difference of S-HGF level in these three groups and set the risk level of S-HGF for surgical treatment. According to the pathological type of lung cancer, 30 patients with malignant SPNs were divided into adenocarcinoma group(17 cases) and squamous carcinoma group(13 cases). Analyse the difference of S-HGF level in these two groups. ResultsBy statistical analysis, the S-HGF levels of the malignant SPNs patients were significantly higher than that of control group(P < 0.05). Moreover, the levels of S-HGF in malignant group were also significantly higher than that in benign group(P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the benign and control group(P > 0.05). The levels of S-HGF were also shown no statistically significant difference(P > 0.05) in different pathologic types of lung cancer patients. In addition, the incidence of malignant SPNs increased when the S-HGF level ≥ 250 pg/ml. ConclusionThe detection of S-HGF level may be a new detection method used for the rapid diagnosis of benign and malignant SPNs. The operative treatment could be recommended when the S-HGFs levels were over 250 pg/ml.