Major Advances in CT Screening: A Radiologist’s Perspective
CT screening was first introduced when helical CT scanners became available in the early 1990s. Since then, there have been remarkable advances in CT scanner technology with concurrent increases in the number of CT examinations per year by approximately 10% annually, as shared by Dr. Claudia Henschke of Mount Sinai in the United States. Thanks to more powerful hardware and image reconstruction algorithms in today’s multidetector CT (MDCT), it has become possible to conduct faster scanning at lower radiation doses.
In regards to lung cancer screening, thinner collimation has led to the detection of many more small pulmonary nodules. Additionally, there have been evolutions in diagnostic techniques such as percutaneous biopsies, navigational bronchoscopy and PET scans, and these advances have been integrated into the regimen of screening with a resulting decrease in the frequency of surgical resection of benign nodules.
“Advancements in CT screening over the past few decades have proven to be a critical step forward in our efforts to conquer lung cancer,” said Dr. Henschke. “Among the many advantages of newer CT screening technology, we can now better assess nodule size and growth connected to the probability of malignancy and lung cancer aggressiveness. For the first time, imaging as a biomarker for aggressiveness has been used to monitor whether a cancer is progressing. We are encouraged by the progress we’ve made as a result of CT screening improvements, and we look forward to this technology saving even more lives.”
Integration of smoking cessation program within CT lung cancer screening program shows life-saving and cost-effective results
A study presented by Dr. William Evans of McMaster University in Canada found that integrating robust smoking cessation programs into an organized low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening program has the potential to decrease mortality rates while being relatively cost-effective. “To achieve the maximal benefits of a LDCT screening program, it is essential to incorporate a robust smoking cessation intervention,” said Dr. Evans. “In my long career as an oncologist, I have not been able to save any patients from advanced non-small cell lung cancer. I believe that an organized lung screening program can be used to provide teachable moments for heavy smokers and, ultimately, save lives.” The full press release can be found here.
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