Why a Low-Dose CT Scan Is Recommended for Lung Screening
Lung disease, especially lung cancer, generally grows very quietly without major symptoms until later stages. During the early stage of lung cancer, symptoms may not exist, may be vague or may be so mild they go unnoticed. By the time someone starts having more obvious symptoms of lung cancer (such as a prolonged cough, chest discomfort/pain and/or difficulty breathing), the disease is usually in a much worse state than if it were caught earlier when it was a lot easier to treat. Therefore, it is one of the major reasons that lung cancer continues to have high rates of mortality around the world. Early detection of lung cancer leads to a better chance of survival, which is why Low-Dose CT (LDCT) scan has become such an important tool for lung screening.
LDCT scans are a specific type of imaging technique that enables a radiologist to detect diseases or abnormalities of the lungs with much lower amounts of ionizing radiation than is used with conventional CT scanning. Many countries have now accepted LDCT scanning as an effective way to screen people who are at increased risk of developing lung cancer.
Table of Content:
- What are LDCT scans?
Why Screening for Lung Cancer is Important
- Who Should Be Assessed for Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening?
- Advantages of Early Detection with Low-Dose CT
- Are Low-Dose CTs Trialedly Safe from Radiation Exposure?
- Additional Benefits Beyond Cancer Detection
- Low-Dose CT Limitations
- Importance of Regular Follow-up
- Lung Screening Access to a Low Dose CT Scan
Conclusion
What are LDCT scans?
An LDCT scan is a type of Computed Tomographic (CT) scan that produces cross-sectional images of the lungs using advanced imaging technology while exposing the patient to a much lower level of radiation than do standard CT scans, which may be performed using higher hospital radiation doses for diagnosis.
Why Screening for Lung Cancer is Important
Lung cancer often presents as a quiet illness that has progressed to an advanced phase before an individual experiences the first indication of developing lung cancer. Studies have demonstrated that there is a 258% reduction in lung cancer death rates if lung cancer is detected at an early-stage compared to detecting it at a later stage. Furthermore, lung cancer in its early-stage can typically cure with surgical removal; therefore, the chance of surviving lung cancer diagnosed in its early stage is significantly higher than for lung cancer diagnosed in its advanced phase.
A chest X-Ray taken for traditional diagnostic purposes can only provide limited information regarding very small early-stage lung cancer and its potential treatment versus a low-dose CT scan, which will typically give you a detailed image of the lungs and tumors as small as 1 mm and is therefore a much more effective means of early detection.
Who Should Be Assessed for Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening?
Low-Dose CT scans are not appropriate for all individuals. Individuals fall into the high-risk category and should see a physician to determine whether or not they meet the criteria for evaluation of their lung health. The high-risk category of patients generally includes the following groups of people:
- Individuals who have been long-term smokers or who have quit smoking for at least five years or more.
- Individuals 50 years of age and older per many international recommendations to get screened every year.
- People who have a significant history of smoking high-volume use, measured in pack-years.
- People who have been exposed to a number of carcinogens during the course of their work, including things like asbestos, and so on.
- Family history of lung cancer.
For low-risk individuals, routine screening may not be necessary, and the decision should always be made after consulting a healthcare professional.
Advantages of Early Detection with Low-Dose CT
The major advantage of LDCT is its ability to identify lung cancers at a very early stage before any symptoms are present (for example, on an LDCT scan, most people with early lung cancer have small nodular-like lesions that can be monitored or further evaluated). It is important to identify these small nodular lesions early so that physicians can treat them before the disease has spread.
Numerous large-scale studies, including many international studies, show that annual Low-Dose CT scans for high-risk populations significantly improve your ability to prevent death from lung cancer when compared to the only other standard of care available today: chest x-ray screens.
Are Low-Dose CTs Trialedly Safe from Radiation Exposure?
One of the biggest concerns patients have when getting imaging tests done is radiation exposure. However, you will receive significantly less radiation from a Low-Dose CT than you would from a “conventional” CT scan (usually, it is equivalent to 3-4 months of the amount of background radiation you receive). Therefore, although there are no tests that carry zero risk, the benefits of early cancer detection in high-risk individuals far outweigh the risks of minimal radiation exposure associated with low-dose CT scans. Medical imaging facilities are required to adhere to strict protocols to limit radiation exposure to the patient as much as reasonably achievable.
Low-Dose CT Limitations
Low-dose CT screening has limitations. While nodules detected with this method may not be cancerous, there are occasions when additional testing or follow-up images may cause patient anxiety. There are also false positives and over-diagnosis related to low-dose CT screening. For these reasons, it is imperative that screening only occur with individuals who would benefit the most from a screening program.
Radiologists who are well-trained and follow standard reporting guidelines will ensure that unnecessary intervention will be minimized.
Importance of Regular Follow-up
A yearly low-dose CT screening is recommended for those individuals who meet the standards for screening. This allows for consistent monitoring, and the ability to compare your current screening to a prior screening will assist the physician in identifying changes over time. One normal scan, therefore, does not eliminate your future risk of having lung cancer, especially if you continue to smoke, or are exposed to risk factors.
Lung Screening Access to a Low Dose CT Scan
Reliable imaging facilities and trained radiologists are required for accurate lung screening by way of diagnostic imaging. Low-dose CT diagnostic imaging uses very little radiation and provides great diagnostic outcomes with a methodical risk level and a comprehensive protocol for your diagnosis to receive high-quality images using the most up-to-date technology available.
Sikund Diagnostic has made available low-dose CT diagnostic imaging as another one of their imaging services offered in accordance with established safety and quality standards. Anyone considering using low-dose CT imaging services for the purpose of lung screening should discuss their individual risk factors with their physician and find out if this would be an appropriate option for their diagnosis.
Additional Benefits Beyond Cancer Detection
In addition to lung cancer detection, low-dose CT scans are used to detect other conditions that affect the lungs, including:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Lung fibrosis (scarring)
- Inflammatory/infectious changes in the lung
- Calcifications and structural abnormalities of the lung.
Incidental findings can lead to non-cancer lung disease early evaluation and management.
Conclusion
The importance of low-dose CT images for early diagnosis of lung cancer will transform the way that lung cancer is found and diagnosed through accelerated early detection and very minimal radiation exposure. For those at a higher risk of developing lung cancer, low-dose CT scanning is a valuable opportunity to receive the most appropriate treatment when lung cancer is diagnosed as early as possible. Although not everyone will be able to utilize low-dose CT imaging services as a screening method for lung cancer diagnosis, it is still the preferred method of testing for many patients and is a key element of the reduction of lung cancer mortality through early diagnosis options available today.