Mayo Clinic Study Finds CT Detects Smaller, Earlier-Stage Lung Cancer . . . But Also Many Benign Lung Tumors

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

WHAT: The study found that computed tomography (CT) screening of high-risk patients detects lung cancer at a smaller size and earlier stage as compared with chest X-ray and other clinical diagnostic methods. However, CT screening also identifies a high number of benign false positive findings. The benign false positive findings necessitate further testing to distinguish them from cancer. The results of the Mayo Clinic study will be published in the March issue of the journal Radiology. The study is titled "Lung Cancer Screening With CT: Mayo Clinic Experience."

WHO: Stephen Swensen, M.D., a Mayo Clinic radiologist, led the research study. He will be available for interviews and to provide more information. BACKGROUND The study found that 1,049 of the 1,520 people screened, all age 50 or older and at high risk for lung cancer, had uncalcified (indeterminate) lung nodules. The CT screening detected 38 cases of lung cancer, including 35 cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Sixty percent of the 35 non-small cell cancers detected by CT were Stage 1A, the most curable stage.

The study also reported that 98 percent of uncalcified lung nodules detected were false positive findings. In such cases, further testing and often surgery were required to determine if the CT findings were lung cancer or benign nodules.

The study indicates the need for further research to evaluate if CT can reduce the number of lung cancer deaths in the United States. It also demonstrates the need to further investigate the issues of false positive findings, overdiagnosis, quality of life, complications, death and the expense of unnecessary surgical procedures.

NOTE: The accompanying news release from the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) provides more information about the study.

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CONTACT:
Mary Lawson
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507-284-2511 (evenings)
e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

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