Intratumoral calcification on CT assists in distinguishing benign and malignant upper abdomen neoplasm

BACKGROUND: The significance of calcification and microcalcification in diagnosing malignant tumors is well established, but their role in the upper abdomen is less explored in routine radiology. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of computed tomography (CT) imaging in detecting intratumoral calcification within upper abdominal tumors. METHODS: This study retrospectively enrolled patients with upper abdominal tumors featuring intratumoral calcifications who underwent plain and contrast-enhanced CT scans between January 2016 and December 2019. We examined the imaging characteristics of calcifications, including location, edges, shape, CT values, and association with necrosis. The diagnostic utility of calcification for distinguishing benign and malignant tumors was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent predictive factors for the diagnosis of malignancy characterized by intratumoral calcification. RESULTS: This study included 153 patients (median age 49 ± 21 years; 83 men) with pathologically confirmed tumors of the upper abdomen (including liver, pancreas, and gastrointestinal tract) with intratumoral calcifications. Significant differences in CT values between benign and malignant tumors were observed (P < .001), with high diagnostic accuracy of calcification in CT imaging (receiver operating characteristic area = 0.884, sensitivity = 0.815, specificity = 0.976). The characteristics of calcification, including its edge and shape, were significantly correlated with tumor differentiation (P < .01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of adjacent necrosis around intracalcification is an independent predictor of malignancy (odds ratio = 5.48; 95% confidence interval: 1.55, 19.41; P = .008). CONCLUSION: Intratumoral calcification in CT imaging is a key marker for distinguishing between benign and malignant epigastric tumors, offering high specificity. Key message • What is already known on this topic - Intratumoral calcification, as a highly sensitive radiological marker, has shown potential in differentiating between benign and malignant tumors in thyroid and breast cancers. However, its discriminatory role in upper abdominal tumors is often overlooked. Therefore, assessing the diagnostic accuracy of intratumoral calcification on CT scans is crucial for improving diagnostic efficiency and avoiding unnecessary examinations. • What this study adds - Intratumoral calcification on CT exhibits high specificity in differentiating between benign and malignant upper abdominal tumors, providing a simple and reliable criterion for improving diagnostic accuracy. • How this study might affect research, practice or policy - This study highlights the significance of intratumoral calcification characteristics observed on CT in determining whether upper abdominal tumors are benign or malignant. The findings could pave the way for the development of a CT-based calcification scoring system, which would facilitate rapid and accurate diagnostics in clinical practice, thereby optimizing treatment strategies and enhancing patient prognosis.