Low-dose CT for lung cancer screening: position paper from the Italian college of thoracic radiology

• DOI: 10.1007/s11547-022-01471-y
• Publication Date: 2022-03-20T13:02:25Z
• Authors: Mario Silva; Giulia Picozzi; Nicola Sverzellati; Sandra Anglesio; Maurizio Bartolucci; Edoardo Cavigli; Annalisa Deliperi; Massimo Falchini; Fabio Falaschi; Domenico Ghio; Paola Gollini; Anna Rita Larici; Alfonso V. Marchianò; Stefano Palmucci; Lorenzo Preda; Chiara Romei; Carlo Tessa; Cristiano Rampinelli; Mario Mascalchi
• Keywords: Lung Neoplasms; Thoracic; 613; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Lung nodule; Humans; Mass Screening; Tomography; Computed tomography; Early Detection of Cancer; Computer assisted diagnosi; Early diagnosi; Early diagnosis; X-Ray Computed; Computer assisted diagnosis; 3. Good health; Radiography; Lung Neoplasm; Screening; Female; Radiography, Thoracic; Position Paper; Lung cancer; Radiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Human

AbstractSmoking is the main risk factor for lung cancer (LC), which is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Independent randomized controlled trials, governmental and inter-governmental task forces, and meta-analyses established that LC screening (LCS) with chest low dose computed tomography (LDCT) decreases the mortality of LC in smokers and former smokers, compared to no-screening, especially in women. Accordingly, several Italian initiatives are offering LCS by LDCT and smoking cessation to about 10,000 high-risk subjects, supported by Private or Public Health Institutions, envisaging a possible population-based screening program. Because LDCT is the backbone of LCS, Italian radiologists with LCS expertise are presenting this position paper that encompasses recommendations for LDCT scan protocol and its reading. Moreover, fundamentals for classification of lung nodules and other findings at LDCT test are detailed along with international guidelines, from the European Society of Thoracic Imaging, the British Thoracic Society, and the American College of Radiology, for their reporting and management in LCS. The Italian College of Thoracic Radiologists produced this document to provide the basics for radiologists who plan to set up or to be involved in LCS, thus fostering homogenous evidence-based approach to the LDCT test over the Italian territory and warrant comparison and analyses throughout National and International practices.