Lung Cancer Screening Complications

Low-dose computed tomography screening has higher rates of subsequent procedures than previously reported.

In the landmark National Lung Screening Trial, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lowered lung cancer–specific mortality among smokers (number needed to screen, 320 to prevent 1 death; NEJM JW Gen Med Aug 1 2011 and N Engl J Med 2011; 365:395). But the tradeoff is that many screened patients require additional imaging or procedures, and some develop procedural complications. Investigators retrospectively assessed more than 9000 patients from five large U.S. healthcare systems who received LDCT screening in routine clinical practice. Sixteen percent of LDCTs showed abnormalities, and 1.5% of patients received diagnoses of lung cancer within 12 months.

Study findings included the following:

LDCT's sensitivity was 93%, specificity was 84%, posi…

Reviewing Author

Daniel D. Dressler, MD, MSc, MHM, FACP

Disclosures

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill; Elsevier

Editorial BoardsMedical Clinics of North America; Caribbean Medical Journal International Advisory Panel (2021–2026)

Daniel D. Dressler, MD, MSc, MHM, FACP

Disclosures

RoyaltiesMcGraw-Hill; Elsevier

Editorial BoardsMedical Clinics of North America; Caribbean Medical Journal International Advisory Panel (2021–2026)

Lung Cancer Screening Complications

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Reviewing Author