Study aim. To justify selective lung cancer screening via low-dose computed tomography and evaluate its effectiveness.
Materials and methods. In 2017 we have concluded the baseline stage of “Lowdose computed tomography in Moscow for lung cancer screening (LDCT-MLCS)” trial. The trial included 10 outpatient clinics with 64-detector CT units (Toshiba Aquilion 64 and Toshiba CLX). Special low-dose protocols have been developed for each unit with maximum effective dose of 1 mSv (in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 2.2.1, Sanitary Regulations 2.6.1.1192-03). The study involved 5,310 patients (53% men, 47% women) aged 18-92 years (mean age 62 years). Diagnosis verification was carried out in the specialized medical organizations via consultations, additional instrumental, laboratory as well as pathohistological studies. The results were then entered into the “National Cancer Registry”. Results. 5310 patients (53% men, 47% women) aged 18 to 92 years (an average of 62 years) participated in the LDCT-MLCS. The final cohort was comprised of 4762 (89.6%) patients. We have detected 291 (6.1%) Lung-RADS 3 lesions, 228 (4.8%) Lung- RADS 4A lesions and 196 (4.1%) Lung-RADS 4B/4X lesions. All 4B and 4X lesions were routed in accordance with the project's methodology and legislative documents. Malignant neoplasms were verified in 84 cases (1.76% of the cohort). Stage I-II lung cancer was actively detected in 40.3% of these individuals. For the first time in the Russian Federation we have calculated the number needed to screen (NNS) to identify one lung cancer (NNS=57) and to detect one Stage I lung cancer (NNS=207).
Conclusions. Based on the global experience and our own practices, we argue that selective LDCT is the most systematic solution to the problem of early-stage lung cancer screening.
Non-calcified pulmonary nodules detected in low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening programs can be potential precursors of malignancy
