ABSTRACT
Previous studies of low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening for lung cancer have shown a decrease in lung-cancer-related deaths. Data from the NELSON trial, using new thresholds for defining a positive test, resulted in less over-diagnosis without a decrease in test-specific sensitivity. However, in our opinion it is still too early to implement screening in the Netherlands. Further development of the optimal screening algorithm based on defined volumetric thresholds and stratified by personal characteristics such as age, smoking habits, gender and comorbidities, will probably result in a better balance between the harms and benefits of lung-cancer screening to individuals and society.
Subject(s)
Early Detection of Cancer , Lung Neoplasms/diagnosis , Mass Screening/methods , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/economics , Mass Screening/economics , Netherlands , Risk Factors , Smoking , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Screening with low-dose computed tomography reduces lung cancer mortality. However, the high incidence of false positive screening results, the uncertainty of the duration of screening and the lack of a cost-effectiveness analysis should be overcome before introduction in a daily clinical practice.