Lung cancer continues to be a major worldwide health problem. Multiple stra
tegies are being explored in an attempt to reduce lung cancer mortality, in
cluding a renewed interest in screening. Multiple low-dose spiral computed
tomography (CT) trials have been proposed, as proponents predict that small
nodules will represent early-stage disease and detecting them will ultimat
ely translate into improvements in outcomes. At this time, however, only pr
evalence-screening data are available, and it remains to be seen if CT will
truly reduce mortality. The appropriate hypothesis-driven studies still mu
st be performed and the results carefully analyzed before CT screening for
lung cancer can be accepted as the standard of care.