Lung cancer screening: Radiology

Abstract

Lung cancer is leading cause of cancer deaths in most countries. The most important prognostic factor in lung cancer is the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis, and prognosis is favorable in early stages. Early diagnosis is possible with screening programs in many types of malignant diseases. In 1970's, a number of investigations for screening for lung cancer via chest radiography and sputum cytology were conducted. However, screening was not found beneficial on lung cancer mortality. Computed tomography (CT), spiral CT in particular, is superior to chest radiography for detecting pulmonary nodules. There are on-going projects of screening for lung cancer by low dose spiral CT in many countries. Recent advances in lung cancer screening from the radiology point of view is discussed and reviewed.