Lung Cancer Screening: Survival in an Extensive Early Detection Program in Spain (I-ELCAP)

Abstract

Introduction: Lung cancer (LC) is usually diagnosed at advanced stages with only a 12% 5-year survival. Trials as NLST and NELSON show a mortality decrease, which justifies implementation of lung cancer screening in risk population. Our objective was to show survival results of the largest LC screening program in Spain with low dosage computed tomography (LDCT).

Methods: Clinical records from International Early Lung Cancer Detection Program (IELCAP) at Valencia, Spain were analysed. This program recruited volunteers, ever-smokers aged 40-80 years, since 2008. Results are compared to those from other similar sizeable programs.

Results: A total of 8278 participants were screened with at least two-rounds until November 2020. A mean of 6 annual screening rounds were performed. We detected 239 tumours along 12-year follow-up. Adenocarcinoma was the most common histology, being 61.3% at stage I. The lung cancer prevalence and incidence proportion was 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively with an annual detection rate of 0.17. One-year survival and 10-year survival were 90% and 80.1%, respectively. Adherence was 96.84%.

Conclusion: Largest lung cancer screening in Spain shows that survival is improved when is performed in multidisciplinary team experienced in management of LC, and is comparable to similar screening programs.

Keywords: Cáncer de pulmón; Detección del cáncer de pulmón; Detección precoz; Early detection; Lung cancer; Lung cancer screening.