A consensus statement of the society of thoracic radiology - Screening forlung cancer with helical computed tomography

This consensus statement by the Society of Thoracic Radiology is a summary of the current understanding of low dose computed tomography (CT) for scree ning for lung cancer. Lung cancer is the most common fatal malignancy in th e industrialized world. Unlike the next three most common cancers, screenin g for lung cancer is not currently recommended by cancer organizations. Imp rovements in CT technology make lung screening feasible. Early prevalence d ata indicate that about two-thirds of lung cancers that are detected by CT screening are at an early stage. Other data support the postulate that pati ents with lung cancers detected at this early stage have better rates of su rvival. Whether this will translate into an improved disease specific morta lity is yet to be demonstrated. The suggested technical protocols, selectio n criteria, and method of handling the numerous benign nodules that are det ected are discussed. It is the consensus of this committee that mass screen ing for lung cancer with CT is not currently advocated. Suitable subjects w ho wish to participate should be encouraged to do so in controlled trials, so that the value of CT screening can be ascertained as soon as possible.