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Case Reports
. 2019 Jul 11;55(7):364.
doi: 10.3390/medicina55070364.

Lung Cancer Screening in Patients with COPD-A Case Report

Roxana Amirahmadi M.D  1 , Avnee J Kumar M.D  2 , Mark Cowan M.D  3 , Janaki Deepak M.B.B.S., FACP  3   4
Affiliations
Case Reports

Lung Cancer Screening in Patients with COPD-A Case Report

Roxana Amirahmadi M.D et al. Medicina (Kaunas). .

Abstract

We present two cases demonstrating the nuances that must be considered when determining if a patient could benefit from low dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening. Our case report discusses the available literature, where it exists, on lung cancer screening with special attention to the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and poor functional status. Patients with COPD and concurrent smoking history are at higher risk of lung cancer and may therefore benefit from lung cancer screening. However, this population is at increased risk for complications related to biopsies and lobar resections. Appropriate interventions other than surgical resection exist for COPD patients with poor pulmonary reserve. Risks and benefits of lung cancer screening are unique to each patient and require shared decision-making.

Keywords: COPD; low dose computed tomography; lung cancer screening; lung nodule.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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