EARLY DETECTION OF LUNG CANCER POSSIBLE WITH CAT AND PET SCANS (pp 588, 593)August 20, 2003Issue 23 August 2003 Embargoed 0001 h (London time) 22 August 2003. Preliminary results from a European study in this week's issue of THE LANCET show that combined use of spiral computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tamography (PET) scanning can reliably detect early lung cancer. Authors of the study suggest that use of these imaging techniques could inform future randomised trials in the assessment of widespread population screening for lung cancer. Lung cancer causes more deaths-around 1.3 million worldwide annually-than any other cancer; five-year survival is only around 10% in Europe due to late disease detection. Low-dose spiral CT of the chest effectively detects early-stage lung cancer in high-risk individuals; however the high detection of benign lesions has hampered the introduction of large-scale screening programmes. Ugo Pastorino from the National Institute of Cancer, Milan, Italy, Peter Boyle from the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy, and colleagues investigated the efficacy of repeated yearly spiral CT and selective use of PET (to increase the accuracy of CT) in a large population of high-risk volunteers. Over 1000 heavy smokers (minimum consumption 26 cigarettes a day for 37 years) aged 50 years or older underwent annual low-dose spiral CT, with or without PET, for 5 years. Lesions up to 5 mm were deemed non-suspicious and low-dose spiral CT was repeated after 12 months (year 2). By the second year of assessment, 22 cases of lung cancer had been diagnosed (11 at baseline, 11 at year 2). 440 lung lesions were identified in 298 (29%) participants, and 95 were recalled for high-resolution contrast CT. PET scans were positive in 18 of 20 of the indentified cancer cases. Removal of malignant tissue was achieved in 95% of lung cancers. Ugo Pastorino comments: "We have shown that low-dose spiral CT combined with selective use of PET can effectively detect early lung cancer. A more conservative approach to very small CT-detected nodules is justified, and lesions up to 5 mm can be followed up at 12 months without major risks of progression. Although prospective randomised trials are the proper instrument with which to measure the ultimate outcome of any screening policy, pilot studies addressing specific technical issues and methods are of fundamental importance in a phase of accelerated development of imaging and molecular technology, to design the optimum protocol to be tested in large-scale trials." In an accompanying Commentary (p 588), Stefan Diederich from Marien-Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany, concludes: "The study by Pastorino and colleagues adds an important aspect to the field of lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography - ie, simplification of the diagnostic algorithm for nodule classification. More data are required to define the ideal algorithm. Furthermore, prospective randomised trials are underway to analyse whether regular low-dose computed tomography can, in fact, reduce mortality from lung cancer." Lancet |
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| Related Lung Cancer Current Events and Lung Cancer News Articles Researchers Identify Role of Gene in Tumor Development, Growth and Progression Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine researchers have identified a gene that may play a pivotal role in two processes that are essential for tumor development, growth and progression to metastasis. Common pain relief medication may encourage cancer growth Although morphine has been the gold-standard treatment for postoperative and chronic cancer pain for two centuries, a growing body of evidence is showing that opiate-based painkillers can stimulate the growth and spread of cancer cells. Study raises concerns about outdoor second-hand smoke Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers at bars and restaurants onto outdoor patios, but a new University of Georgia study in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that these outdoor smoking areas might be creating a new health hazard. Carnegie Mellon researchers link health-care debate to risk of dying in US and Europe The current health care debate in the United States is complicated. Trade-offs between heath care expenditures, lifestyle choices and life expectancy have been suggested but seldom clearly demonstrated. PET imaging response a prognostic factor after thoracic radiation therapy for lung cancer A rapid decline in metabolic activity on a PET scan after radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer is correlated with good local tumor control, according to a study presented by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital at the 51st ASTRO Annual Meeting. Study of concurrent radiotherapy, chemotherapy shows promise in small cell lung cancer Treating limited stage small cell lung cancer(LSCL) with a combination of accelerated high-dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy has shown encouraging results. Stereotactic radiotherapy offers noninvasive, effective treatment for frail patients with early-stage lung cancer Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) should be considered a new standard of care for early-stage lung cancer treatment in patients with co-existing medical problems, according to results from a national clinical trial led by UT Southwestern Medical Center physicians. Preventative brain radiation for lung cancer patients: Benefits and risks A new study is taking a closer look at the benefits versus risks for lung cancer patients to undergo preventative brain radiation therapy as a means to stop cancer from spreading to the brain. Study spotlights efficacy of questionnaire to identify patients at high risk for lung cancer A study featured in the November issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology confirms the success of a simple questionnaire designed to identify patients at high risk of lung cancer. Intervals between lung cancer diagnosis and treatment displays a health care disparity Research published in the November 2009 issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology has found that intervals between lung cancer suspicion, diagnosis and treatment may be attributed to health care system discrepancies. More Lung Cancer Current Events and Lung Cancer News Articles |
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