[Lung cancer screening]

Abstract

Lung cancer is a very important disease, curable in early stages. There have been trials trying to show the utility of chest x-ray or computed tomography in Lung Cancer Screening for decades. In 2011, National Lung Screening Trial results were published, showing a 20% reduction in lung cancer mortality in patients with low dose computed tomography screened for three years. These results are very promising and several scientific societies have included lung cancer screening in their guidelines. Nevertheless we have to be aware of lung cancer screening risks, such as: overdiagnosis, radiation and false positive results. Moreover, there are many issues to be solved, including choosing the appropriate group to be screened, the duration of the screening program, intervals between screening and its cost-effectiveness. Ongoing trials will probably answer some of these questions. This article reviews the current evidence on lung cancer screening.

Keywords: Cribado poblacional; Cáncer de pulmón; Detección precoz del cáncer; Early detection of cancer; Low dose cone beam computed tomography; Lung cancer; Mass screening; Radiografía de tórax; Radiography, thoracic; Tomografía computarizada baja dosis.