What Defines a Positive Result in Computed Tomography Screening for Lung Cancer?

Higher cutoffs would result in fewer false-positives but could delay diagnosis in some patients.

The National Lung Screening Trial showed that, among current and former smokers (age range, 55–74; smoking history, ≥30 pack-years), annual screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) lowered lung cancer–related mortality from 1.66% to 1.33% during 6.5 years of follow-up (JW Gen Med Jul 14 2011). However, as with all screening programs, a substantial proportion of positive findings turned out to be false-positives on follow-up. To improve diagnostic accuracy, researchers examined the tradeoffs of higher thresholds for a positive result versus delayed cancer diagnoses using baseline CT screening data from an uncontrolled screening study (JW Gen Med Oct 25 2006).

Of 21,136 participants screened with low-dose CT between 2006 and 2010, 16% …

Reviewing Author

Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportColorado Health Foundation

Jamaluddin Moloo, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportColorado Health Foundation