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Low-Dose Screening CT Chest for Detection of Lung Cancer.
Low-Dose CT can greatly improve the likelihood of detection of small (early)
lung cancers, and thus potentially more curable stage.
Who should consider lung cancer screening? People at high risk for developing lung cancer, i.e. - smokers with at least 10 pack-year history. You have a ten pack-year history if you have smoked one pack a day for ten years, two packs a day for five years, etc. How does the test differ from a Diagnostic CT Scan of the Chest? Diagnostic Chest CT scans require a prescription by a physician and will only be reimbursed by insurance companies if strict criteria are met. Usually this test is performed if there is abnormal chest x-ray history of cancer. Diagnostic CT Scans of the Chest are ordered as a problem solving modality, and usually necessiate intravenous adminisration of iodinated contrast. Low-Dose Screening CT is intended to supplement or replace routine CXRs which are performed in patients without symptoms or known disease. Like screening mammography, it is essential to minimize the amount of radiation exposure in asymptomatic patients. The test is specifically designed to rapidly screen the lungs with minimal radiation exposure, to allow detection of pulmonary nodules. No intravenous contrast is used. Low-Dose Screening CT is specifically designed to screen for pulmonary nodules, and is neither designed nor intended to screen for abnormalities elsewhere in the thorax (i.e.- hear, aora, lymph nodes, bones). You do not need a prescription to obtain this exam. Since this is a screening test, most insurance companies do not reimburse for its cost. What does the procedure involve? First, you complete a brief risk factor questionnaire. Next, you lie down on the imaging table and a CT technologist will ask you to hold your breath while the images are taken. That's it. In twenty seconds, your exam is complete, and you may return to your regular routine. The procedure is pain free, non-invasive, and inexpensive. What results should I expect? If your test was read a negative, then no pulmonary nodules were detected. If you are at high risk for lung cancer, then you should consider repeating the exam yearly. |
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