[Lung cancer screening with thoracic X‑ray and CT : Current situation].

[Lung cancer screening with thoracic X‑ray and CT : Current situation]. Radiologe. 2016 Jul 13; Authors: von Stackelberg O, Kauczor HU Abstract CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE: Attempts at the early detection of lung cancer using imaging methods began as far back as the 1950s. STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS: Several studies attempted to demonstrate a reduction of lung cancer mortality by chest radiography screening but all were unsuccessful. METHODICAL INNOVATIONS: Even the first small screening studies using computed tomography (CT) could not demonstrate a reduction in lung cancer-specific mortality until in 2011 the results of the largest randomized controlled low-dose CT screening study in the USA (NLST) were published. The NLST results could show a significant 20 % reduction of lung cancer mortality in elderly and heavy smokers using CT. PERFORMANCE: Confirmation of the NLST results are urgently needed so that the data of the largest European study (NELSON) are eagerly awaited. ACHIEVEMENTS: Pooled with the data from several smaller European studies these results will provide important information and evidence for the establishment of future CT screening programs in Europe. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Randomized controlled trials are the basis of evidence-based medicine; therefore, the positive results of the methodologically very good NLST study cannot be ignored, even if it is the only such s...
Source: Der Radiologe - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Radiologe Source Type: research