Chest CT scans detect early-stage lung cancer

Researchers say it is time to consider regular screening. Other scientists are investigating breast cancer tests and whether virtual colonoscopy can reveal heart attack risk.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. Dec. 27, 2004.

Annual computed tomography screening of the chest makes it more likely that, if a lung cancer is detected, it is at stage I when it is most curable, according to a paper presented at the Radiological Society of North America meeting in Chicago last month.

Researchers from the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program analyzed data collected from more than 26,000 people who, since 1993, have received CT scanning in conjunction with this study. The project is a collaboration of scientists around the world who are investigating ways to improve this cancer's cure rate.

Screening led to the diagnosis of more than 300 cancers with 82% at stage I. On the basis of these data, the paper's authors are recommending that those at high risk, such as smokers, consider annual screening.

"We feel you should individualize this decision," said Claudia I. Henschke, MD, PhD, principal investigator and professor of radiology at Cornell Medical Center in New York. "And then it's up to you if you want to pay that money to be screened."

Other experts said, though, that while the numbers were interesting, they were still not conclusive enough to change recommendations -- most of which are lukewarm on lung cancer screening.

Medical societies recommend that patients only undergo such tests within the context of a clinical trial.

In May, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued a statement acknowledging that there were fair data that screening detected these cancers early, but poor data that it had any impact on mortality. Thus, the task force's expert panel said there was insufficient evidence to recommend either for or against the strategy.