ESR/ERS white paper on lung cancer screening

Measurement and Application of Incidentally Detected Coronary Calcium: JACC Review Topic of the Week

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is a powerful tool for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk stratification. The nongated, noncontrast chest computed tomography scan (NCCT) has emerged as a source of CAC characterization with tremendous potential due to the high volume of NCCT scans. Application of incidental CAC characterization from NCCT has raised questions around score accuracy, standardization of methodology including the possibility of deep learning to automate the process, and the risk stratification potential of an NCCT-derived score. In this review, the authors aim to summarize the role of NCCT-derived CAC in preventive cardiovascular health today as well as explore future avenues for eventual clinical applicability in specific patient populations and broader health systems.

How will lung cancer screening and lung nodule management change the diagnostic and surgical lung cancer landscape?

INTRODUCTION

Implementation of lung cancer screening, with its subsequent findings, is anticipated to change the current diagnostic and surgical lung cancer landscape. This review aimed to identify and present the most updated expert opinion and discuss relevant evidence regarding the impact of lung cancer screening and lung nodule management on the diagnostic and surgical landscape of lung cancer, as well as summarise points for clinical practice.

METHODS

This article is based on relevant lectures and talks delivered during the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Respiratory Society Collaborative Course on Thoracic Oncology (February 2023). Original lectures and talks and their relevant references were included. An additional literature search was conducted and peer-reviewed studies in English (December 2022 to June 2023) from the PubMed/Medline databases were evaluated with regards to immediate affinity of the published papers to the original talks presented at the course. An updated literature search was conducted (June 2023 to December 2023) to ensure that updated literature is included within this article.

RESULTS

Lung cancer screening suspicious findings are expected to increase the number of diagnostic investigations required therefore impacting on current capacity and resources. Healthcare systems already face a shortage of imaging and diagnostic slots and they are also challenged by the shortage of interventional radiologists. Thoracic surgery will be impacted by the wider lung cancer screening implementation with increased volume and earlier stages of lung cancer. Nonsuspicious findings reported at lung cancer screening will need attention and subsequent referrals where required to ensure participants are appropriately diagnosed and managed and that they are not lost within healthcare systems.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of lung cancer screening requires appropriate mapping of existing resources and infrastructure to ensure a tailored restructuring strategy to ensure that healthcare systems can meet the new needs.

Motivation, acceptability and attitudes toward lung cancer screening among persons who attend a tobacco cessation program: A multicenter survey in Italy

This study aimed to evaluate smoking cessation (SC) motivation and the acceptability of a lung cancer screening (LCS) program with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) among people who attend SC programs. A multicenter survey was conducted in the period January-December 2021 involving 197 people who attended group or individual SC courses in Reggio Emilia and Tuscany. Questionnaires, information sheets, and decision aids about the potential benefits and harms of LCS with LDCT were distributed at different time points during the course. The wish to protect own health (66%) was the most frequent reason given for quitting smoking, followed by cigarette dependence (40.6%) and current health problems (30.5%). Half of the participants (56%) considered periodic health checks including LDCT, as an advantageous activity. The great majority of participants were in favor of LCS (92%), with only 8% being indifferent, and no one was against these programs. Interestingly, those with sufficiently high smoking-related LC risk to be eligible for LCS and those attending the individual course were less in favor of LCS but also less concerned about the possible harms associated with LCS. The type of counseling was a significant predictor for both LCS acceptability and perceived harm of LCS. The favorable perception of LCS in people attending SC courses, despite the considerable preoccupation with potential harms, is an important finding of this study. Introducing a discussion on the benefits and harms of LCS in SC programs may prepare persons who smoke to make informed decisions on utilizing LCS.

Lung Cancer Screening: Low-Dose Thoracic Computed Tomography Performed in a High-Risk Portuguese Population

INTRODUCTION

The Urgeiriça mines were once the main uranium producer in Portugal. The aim of this study was to estimate the benefit of low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer screening in former miners that were considered as being at high-risk.

METHODS

A subgroup of former miners of the Uranium National Company exposed to uranium and with a smoking load greater than 20 pack-years, agreed to perform a LDCT. The Fleischner Society Guidelines were used to classify the nodules and establish follow-up.

RESULTS

Initially, 265 former employees of the Uranium National Company were included. The mean time of employment was 15 (0 - 45) years. The non-smokers represented 50.9% and 30.2% were ever smokers; the remaining chose not to respond. One diagnosis of lung cancer was initially made. In the second phase, a subgroup of 66 former miner underwent a LDCT, 37 of whom presented pulmonary nodules. Most computed tomography (CT) scans revealed one single nodule (n = 13) and the mean size was 5 (1 - 16) mm. A suspicious 16 mm spiculated nodule was evaluated with PET/CT, and percutaneous and surgical biopsies, ultimately revealing a benign lesion.

CONCLUSION

The data highlights the importance of lung cancer screening in high-risk populations. This was, to the best of our knowledge, the first study performed in Portugal and can act as a bridge towards a wider implementation in the country.

Important steps towards a big change for lung health: a joint approach by the European Respiratory Society, the European Society of Radiology and their partners to facilitate implementation of the European Union's new recommendations on lung cancer screening

Enormous progress has been made on the epic journey towards implementation of lung cancer screening in Europe. A breakthrough for lung health has been achieved with the EU proposal for a Council recommendation on cancer screening. https://bit.ly/3J4O0Jb.

STANDARD-DEVIATION BASED CONFORMITY INDEX FOR EVALUATING TREATMENT PLAN OF INTENSITY MODULATED RADIOTHERAPY IN LUNG CANCER

This paper attempts to find a new conformity index (CI) calculation method with slice and angle information for evaluating lung cancer radiation treatment plan. A total of 20 lung cancer patients in 2016-2019 were selected. Treatment plans were made for each patient. Parameters used in the process of making treatment plans were set the same. The CI and the standard-deviation based CI (SDCI) that contains angle and slice information were calculated. Comparison of results calculated with SDCI and CI were made. The results of the two methods for the patients showed the same trend. Different shapes of simulated dose distribution line shows SDCI can provide more detail information about the target area. Special shapes of simulated dose distribution line for SDCI showed inaccuracy in angle information. The parameter SDCI has more advantage towards the traditional CI for it can provide angle and slice information. However, more angles need to be calculated.

Lung squamous cell carcinoma presenting as rare clustered cystic lesions: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death. Early diagnosis is critical to improving a patient’s chance of survival. However, lung cancer associated with cystic airspaces is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed due to the absence of clinical symptoms, poor imaging specificity, and high risk of biopsy-related complications.

CASE SUMMARY

We report an unusual case of cancer in a 55-year-old man, in which the lesion evolved from a small solitary thin-walled cyst to lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with metastases in both lungs. The SCC manifested as rare clustered cystic lesions, detected on chest computed tomography. There were air-fluid levels, compartments, and bronchial arteries in the cystic lesions. Additionally, there was no clear extrathoracic metastasis. After chemotherapy, the patient achieved a partial response, type I respiratory failure was relieved, and the lung lesions became a clustered thin-walled cyst.

CONCLUSION

Pulmonary cystic lesions require regular imaging follow-up. Lung SCC should be a diagnostic consideration in cases of thin-walled cysts as well as multiple clustered cystic lesions.

[Translated article] Lung Cancer Screening: Survival in an Extensive Early Detection Program in Spain (I-ELCAP)

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer (LC) is usually diagnosed at advanced stages with only a 12% 5-year survival. Trials as NLST and NELSON show a mortality decrease, which justifies implementation of lung cancer screening in risk population. Our objective was to show survival results of the largest LC screening program in Spain with low dosage computed tomography (LDCT).

METHODS

Clinical records from International Early Lung Cancer Detection Program (IELCAP) at Valencia, Spain were analyzed. This program recruited volunteers, ever-smokers aged 40-80 years, since 2008. Results are compared to those from other similar sizeable programs.

RESULTS

A total of 8278 participants were screened with at least two-rounds until November 2020. A mean of 6 annual screening rounds were performed. We detected 239 tumors along 12-year follow-up. Adenocarcinoma was the most common histology, being 61.3% at stage I. The lung cancer prevalence and incidence proportion was 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively with an annual detection rate of 0.17. One-year survival and 10-year survival were 90% and 80.1%, respectively. Adherence was 96.84%.

CONCLUSION

Largest lung cancer screening in Spain shows that survival is improved when is performed in multidisciplinary team experienced in management of LC, and is comparable to similar screening programs.

A methodological quality evaluation of the published guidelines and recommendations about the lung cancer screening

BACKGROUND

A project to assess the existing literature and to benchmark the quality of past guidelines and recommendations on lung cancer screening projects was developed with a particular focus on the assessment of the methodology used in producing them.

METHODS

Each guideline was assessed in the different items and domains with the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument and scored on a seven-point scale.

RESULTS

Eight guidelines matched the inclusion criteria and were assessed. A multinational collaboration produced three out of five guidelines. The multivariable analysis shows that improved scores of stakeholders' involvement were related to internationally developed guidelines. Improved methodological quality was related to the involvement of scientific societies due to the better rigor of development and editorial independence. Countries with higher expenditure on healthcare produced significantly better guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessed by the AGREE II criteria, the methodological quality of previous guidelines was relatively low. Nevertheless, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines should be recommended as a model for the development of best methodological quality guidelines.

Deep Learning for Lung Cancer Detection on Screening CT Scans: Results of a Large-Scale Public Competition and an Observer Study with 11 Radiologists

Purpose

To determine whether deep learning algorithms developed in a public competition could identify lung cancer on low-dose CT scans with a performance similar to that of radiologists.

Materials and Methods

In this retrospective study, a dataset consisting of 300 patient scans was used for model assessment; 150 patient scans were from the competition set and 150 were from an independent dataset. Both test datasets contained 50 cancer-positive scans and 100 cancer-negative scans. The reference standard was set by histopathologic examination for cancer-positive scans and imaging follow-up for at least 2 years for cancer-negative scans. The test datasets were applied to the three top-performing algorithms from the Kaggle Data Science Bowl 2017 public competition: grt123, Julian de Wit and Daniel Hammack (JWDH), and Aidence. Model outputs were compared with an observer study of 11 radiologists that assessed the same test datasets. Each scan was scored on a continuous scale by both the deep learning algorithms and the radiologists. Performance was measured using multireader, multicase receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Results

The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.877 (95% CI: 0.842, 0.910) for grt123, 0.902 (95% CI: 0.871, 0.932) for JWDH, and 0.900 (95% CI: 0.870, 0.928) for Aidence. The average AUC of the radiologists was 0.917 (95% CI: 0.889, 0.945), which was significantly higher than grt123 (P = .02); however, no significant difference was found between the radiologists and JWDH (P = .29) or Aidence (P = .26).

Conclusion

Deep learning algorithms developed in a public competition for lung cancer detection in low-dose CT scans reached performance close to that of radiologists.Keywords: Lung, CT, Thorax, Screening, Oncology Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2021.

Use of Diagnostic CT and Patient Retention in a Lung Cancer Screening Program

PURPOSE

The aims of this study were to assess the rate of subsequent diagnostic chest CT examinations in a lung cancer screening (LCS) program and examine the effect on retention of patients in the program.

METHODS

Patients who underwent LCS CT between June 2011 and August 2018 were included. The occurrence of patients' being subsequently imaged with diagnostic CT versus LCS CT and the effect this had on patients' returning for LCS CT (patient retention) were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate variables associated with undergoing diagnostic CT and risk factors associated with loss of patient retention.

RESULTS

Of the 5,912 patients who underwent LCS CT, 2,756 underwent subsequent diagnostic or LCS chest CT. Increasing Lung-RADS® score was more likely to lead to subsequent diagnostic chest CT (P < .0001). A total of 1,240 patients underwent at least three chest CT examinations in the time interval. For the 711 patients whose subsequent CT studies were for LCS, 585 (82%) were retained, whereas of the 529 patients who underwent subsequent diagnostic CT, only 208 (39%) were retained (P < .0001). For the 197 subsequent diagnostic CT examinations performed for pulmonary nodule or screening indications, 81 patients (41%) returned for LCS CT, compared with 498 of 612 patients (81%) who underwent subsequent LCS CT (P < .0001). In multivariable analysis, subsequent diagnostic chest CT and increasing Lung-RADS score were associated with loss of retention.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher Lung-RADS score is a risk factor for subsequent diagnostic chest CT, and this is an independent risk factor for loss from the LCS program.

Lung Cancer Screening with Low-Dose CT in Smokers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Lung cancer continues to be one of the main causes of cancer death in Europe. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has shown high potential for screening of lung cancer in smokers, most recently in two European trials. The aim of this review was to assess lung cancer screening of smokers by LDCT with respect to clinical effectiveness, radiological procedures, quality of life, and changes in smoking behavior. We searched electronic databases in April 2020 for publications of randomized controlled trials (RCT) reporting on lung cancer and overall mortality, lung cancer morbidity, and harms of LDCT screening. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate effects on mortality. Forty-three publications on 10 RCTs were included. The meta-analysis of eight studies showed a statistically significant relative reduction of lung cancer mortality of 12% in the screening group (risk ratio = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.79-0.97). Between 4% and 24% of screening-LDCT scans were classified as positive, and 84-96% of them turned out to be false positive. The risk of overdiagnosis was estimated between 19% and 69% of diagnosed lung cancers. Lung cancer screening can reduce disease-specific mortality in (former) smokers when stringent requirements and quality standards for performance are met.

Global evolution of research on pulmonary nodules: a bibliometric analysis

Aim: To provide a historical and global picture of research concerning lung nodules, compare the contributions of major countries and explore research trends over the past 10 years. Methods: A bibliometric analysis of publications from Scopus (1970-2020) and Web of Science (2011-2020). Results: Publications about pulmonary nodules showed an enormous growth trend from 1970 to 2020. There is a high level of collaboration among the 20 most productive countries and regions, with the USA located at the center of the collaboration network. The keywords 'deep learning', 'artificial intelligence' and 'machine learning' are current hotspots. Conclusions: Abundant research has focused on pulmonary nodules. Deep learning is emerging as a promising tool for lung cancer diagnosis and management.

[Scientific assessment and regulatory approval of radiological screening examinations in Germany]

BACKGROUND

Radiologic imaging technologies like computed tomography (CT) have the potential to screen for various diseases. The potential benefits of screening are always associated with risks, particularly from the application of ionizing radiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The International Basic Safety Standards as well as the Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom have set guidelines for the application of ionizing radiation in early detection which were transposed into the German Radiation Protection Law. Accordingly, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) approves screening examinations on a generic level, based on a scientific report provided by the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), and defines in a federal statutory ordinance which type of screening is permissible for detecting a disease for a particular group of persons and under which conditions.

RESULTS

With exception of the mammography screening programme, no radiological examination for the early detection of disease has been approved in Germany to date. However, such screenings are currently being offered in Germany. The BfS is currently conducting a scientific evaluation for lung cancer screening with low-dose CT.

CONCLUSIONS

Screening examinations with radiological imaging can only be approved when studies with the highest level of evidence have demonstrated that the benefits outweigh the risks. To translate this favourable benefit-risk balance into general health care, strict requirements for the entire screening process including quality assurance must be defined.

Lung Screening Benefits and Challenges: A Review of The Data and Outline for Implementation

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, accounting for almost a fifth of all cancer-related deaths. Annual computed tomographic lung cancer screening (CTLS) detects lung cancer at earlier stages and reduces lung cancer-related mortality among high-risk individuals. Many medical organizations, including the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, recommend annual CTLS in high-risk populations. However, fewer than 5% of individuals worldwide at high risk for lung cancer have undergone screening. In large part, this is owing to delayed implementation of CTLS in many countries throughout the world. Factors contributing to low uptake in countries with longstanding CTLS endorsement, such as the United States, include lack of patient and clinician awareness of current recommendations in favor of CTLS and clinician concerns about CTLS-related radiation exposure, false-positive results, overdiagnosis, and cost. This review of the literature serves to address these concerns by evaluating the potential risks and benefits of CTLS. Review of key components of a lung screening program, along with an updated shared decision aid, provides guidance for program development and optimization. Review of studies evaluating the population considered "high-risk" is included as this may affect future guidelines within the United States and other countries considering lung screening implementation.

Respiratory surveillance for coal mine dust and artificial stone exposed workers in Australia and New Zealand: A position statement from the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand

Coal mine lung dust disease (CMDLD) and artificial stone (AS) silicosis are preventable diseases which have occurred in serious outbreaks in Australia recently. This has prompted a TSANZ review of Australia's approach to respiratory periodic health surveillance. While regulating respirable dust exposure remains the foundation of primary and secondary prevention, identification of workers with early disease assists with control of further exposure, and with the aims of preserving lung function and decreasing respiratory morbidity in those affected. Prompt detection of an abnormality also allows for ongoing respiratory specialist clinical management. This review outlines a medical framework for improvements in respiratory surveillance to detect CMDLD and AS silicosis in Australia. This includes appropriate referral, improved data collection and interpretation, enhanced surveillance, the establishment of a nationwide Occupational Lung Disease Registry and an independent advisory group. These measures are designed to improve health outcomes for workers in the coal mining, AS and other dust-exposed and mining industries.

Accuracy of Pulmonary Nodule Volumetry Using Noise-Optimized Virtual Monoenergetic Image and Nonlinear Blending Image Algorithms in Dual-Energy Computed Tomography: A Phantom Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to assess accuracy of pulmonary nodule volumetry using noise-optimized virtual monoenergetic image (VMI+) and nonlinear blending image (NBI) algorithms in dual-energy computed tomography (DECT).

METHODS

An anthropomorphic chest phantom with 10 simulated nodules (5 solid nodules and 5 ground-glass opacities) was scanned using DECT80/Sn140kV, DECT100/Sn140kV, and single-energy CT (SECT120kV/200mAs), respectively. The dual-energy images were reconstructed using VMI+ (70 keV) and NBI algorithms. The contrast-to-noise ratio and absolute percentage error (APE) of nodule volume were measured to assess image quality and accuracy of nodule volumetry. The radiation dose was also estimated.

RESULTS

The contrast-to-noise ratio of SECT120kV/200mAs was significantly higher than that of NBI80/Sn140kV and VMI+80/Sn140kV (both corrected P < 0.05), whereas there were no significant differences between NBI100/sn140kV and SECT120kV/200mAs and between VMI+100/sn140kV and SECT120kV/200mAs (both corrected P > 0.05). The APE of SECT120kV/200mAs was significantly lower than that of NBI80/Sn140kV and VMI+80/Sn140kV in both types of nodules (all corrected P < 0.05), whereas there were no significant differences between VMI+100/sn140kV and SECT120kV/200mAs in solid nodules and between NBI100/Sn140kV and SECT120kV/200mAs in ground-glass opacities (both corrected P > 0.05). The radiation dose of DECT100/Sn140kV and DECT80/Sn140kV were significantly lower than that of SECT120kV/200mAs (both corrected P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The DECT100/sn140kV can ensure image quality and nodule volumetry accuracy with lower radiation dose compared with SECT120kV/200mAs. Specifically, the VMI+ algorithm could be used in solid nodules and NBI algorithm in ground-glass opacities.

Assessing Different Approaches to Leveraging Historical Smoking Exposure Data to Better Select Lung Cancer Screening Candidates: A Retrospective Validation Study

INTRODUCTION

There is mounting interest in the use of risk prediction models to guide lung cancer screening. Electronic health records (EHRs) could facilitate such an approach, but smoking exposure documentation is notoriously inaccurate. While the negative impact of inaccurate EHR data on screening practices reliant on dichotomized age and smoking exposure-based criteria has been demonstrated, less is known regarding its impact on the performance of model-based screening.

AIMS AND METHODS

Data were collected from a cohort of 37 422 ever-smokers between the ages of 55 and 74, seen at an academic safety-net healthcare system between 1999 and 2018. The National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST) criteria, PLCOM2012 and LCRAT lung cancer risk prediction models were validated against time to lung cancer diagnosis. Discrimination (area under the receiver operator curve [AUC]) and calibration were assessed. The effect of substituting the last documented smoking variables with differentially retrieved "history conscious" measures was also determined.

RESULTS

The PLCOM2012 and LCRAT models had AUCs of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.69 to 0.73) and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.74), respectively. Compared with the NLST criteria, PLCOM2012 had a significantly greater time-dependent sensitivity (69.9% vs. 64.5%, p < .01) and specificity (58.3% vs. 56.4%, p < .001). Unlike the NLST criteria, the performances of the PLCOM2012 and LCRAT models were not prone to historical variability in smoking exposure documentation.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the inaccuracies of EHR-documented smoking histories, leveraging model-based lung cancer risk estimation may be a reasonable strategy for screening, and is of greater value compared with using NLST criteria in the same setting.

IMPLICATIONS

EHRs are potentially well suited to aid in the risk-based selection of lung cancer screening candidates, but healthcare providers and systems may elect not to leverage EHR data due to prior work that has shown limitations in structured smoking exposure data quality. Our findings suggest that despite potential inaccuracies in the underlying EHR data, screening approaches that use multivariable models may perform significantly better than approaches that rely on simpler age and exposure-based criteria. These results should encourage providers to consider using pre-existing smoking exposure data with a model-based approach to guide lung cancer screening practices.

Development of a hemoptysis risk prediction model for patients following CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy

Background

Computed tomography-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (CT-TNB) is a widely used method for diagnosis of lung diseases; however, CT-TNB-induced bleeding is usually unexpected and this complication can be life-threatening. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a predictive model for hemoptysis following CT-TNB.

Methods

A total of 436 consecutive patients who underwent CT-TNB from June 2016 to December 2017 at a tertiary hospital in China were divided into derivation (n = 307) and validation (n = 129) cohorts. We used LASSO regression to reduce the data dimension, select variables and determine which predictors were entered into the model. Multivariate logistic regression was used to develop the predictive model. The discrimination capacity of the model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), the calibration curve was used to test the goodness-of-fit of the model, and decision curve analysis was conducted to assess its clinical utility.

Results

Five predictive factors (diagnosis of the lesion, lesion characteristics, lesion diameter, procedure time, and puncture distance) selected by LASSO regression analysis were applied to construct the predictive model. The AUC was 0.850 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.808–0.893) in the derivation, and 0.767 (95% CI, 0.684–0.851) in the validation. The model showed good calibration consistency (p > 0.05). Moreover, decision curve analysis indicated its clinical usefulness.

Conclusion

We established a predictive model that incorporates lesion features and puncture parameters, which may facilitate the individualized preoperative prediction of hemoptysis following CT-TNB.

Lung cancer in women in 21th century

Lung cancer is the first cause of death from malignant disease. The distressing epidemiological data show the increasing female to male incidence ratio for this tumor. A high incidence of lung cancer in never smokers with importance of environmental agents makes a problem among women. Adenocarcinoma (ADC) is noted in women with increasing rate and ethnic background impacts female lung cancer with differences in the incidence of genetic aberrations. The conception of different hormonal status is taken into consideration as potential explanation of variant cancer biology and clinical manifestation in women and men. The impact of 17-β-estradiol, estrogen receptors, aromatase expression, pituitary sex hormones receptors in carcinogenesis with relation between estrogens and genetic aberrations are investigated. The response to newest therapies among female is also different than in men. This overview summarizes currently available evidence on the specificity of female lung cancer and presents the direction of necessary studies.

Examining the effect of underlying individual preferences for present over future on lung cancer screening participation: a cross-sectional analysis of a Korean National Cancer Screening Survey

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the effect of underlying individual preferences for the present over that for the future on lung cancer screening participation.

SETTING

We analysed the data from the Korean National Cancer Screening Survey in 2018.

PARTICIPANTS

4500 adults aged 20-74 years old participated in the study.

DESIGN

In this cross-sectional survey, multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to examine the association between subjects' intention to participate in lung cancer screening and individual preferences. The underlying individual preferences were measured on the basis of the self-reported general willingness to spend money now in order to save money in the future and general preferences with regard to financial planning.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

Intention to participate in lung cancer screening.

RESULTS

Individuals eligible for lung cancer screening who place less value on their future were around four times less likely to report an intention to participate in lung cancer screening than were those who valued their future (OR 3.86, 95% CI 1.89 to 7.90). A present-biassed individual (one with a tendency for immediate gratification) was also about four times less likely to report an intention to participate in screening than an individual with no present bias (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.57).

CONCLUSIONS

Underlying individual preferences regarding the present and future significantly affect individuals' intention to participate in lung cancer screening. Hence, provision of incentives may be necessary to encourage the targeted heavy smokers who may have a strong preferences for the present over future.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle biopsy skill for peripheral lung lesions and complications prevention

Background

To investigate puncture skills and complications prevention in ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle biopsy for peripheral lung lesions.

Methods

Ninety-two peripheral lung lesions in 92 patients, detected via computed tomography (CT) and also visible on ultrasound, were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent percutaneous peripheral lung lesion needle biopsy under traditional ultrasound or contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) guidance paying attention to avoiding necrotic areas and large blood vessels. All the specimens were examined histopathologically. Preprocedure all 92 lesions were performed by traditional ultrasonography to evaluate the size, the echogenecity, liquefaction areas and blood flow on color Doppler imaging, some of which were performed by CEUS for evaluating non-enhanced necrosis areas, contrast agent arrival time (AT) and characteristics of blood perfusion.

Results

The histopathologic results of all 92 lesions were as follows: 67 malignant tumors (including 28 adenocarcinomas, 19 squamous cell carcinomas, 6 bronchoalveolar carcinomas, 5 small cell carcinomas, 5 metastatic cancers, 3 poorly differentiated cancers and 1 malignant mesothelioma), 20 benign lesions (including 9 pneumonia, 6 inflammatory pseudotumors and 5 tuberculomas), 5 undetermined lesions. Of 52 lesions by CEUS guidance, 7 lesions showed enhancement in the pulmonary arterial-phase (including 6 pneumonia and 1 malignant tumors), 45 lesions showed enhancement in the bronchial artery phase (including 37 malignant tumors, 3 inflammatory pseudotumors, 4 tuberculomas and 1 undetermined lesion). According to needle insertion angle along linear path, a total of 92 lesions were divided into two groups, 49 lesions at an angle of 70°-80° needle insertion and 43 lesions at an angle of 80°-90° needle insertion. In the study, linear and non-linear two puncture paths were used, we first tried to puncture along linear path in all lesions, if an attempt to insert into the lesions failed due to be blocked by the ribs and then changed to puncture along non-linear path instead. The success rate of biopsy procedure along linear puncture was significantly higher at an angle of 80°-90°group (93.0% vs. 20.4%, P<0.01), and the adoption rate of non-linear path biopsy for solving the puncture needle blocked by the ribs was significantly higher at angle of 70°-80°group (79.6% vs. 7.0%, P<0.01). Of 52 lesions by CEUS guidance, 27 (51.9%) showed non enhanced necrosis areas on CEUS, only 5 showed liquefaction necrosis areas on gray-scale ultrasound. Of 40 lesions by traditional ultrasound guidance, 4 showed necrosis areas on gray-scale ultrasound. There were no significant differences in lesion size, the average number of biopsy attempts and complication rates between CEUS guidance group and traditional ultrasound guidance group (P>0.05), the pathological confirmation rate in CEUS guidance group was higher than that in traditional ultrasound guidance group, but without significant difference (98.1% vs. 90.0%, P>0.05). Of all 92 cases, 3 cases (3.3%) had mild pneumothorax and 4 cases (4.3%) had hemoptysis.

Conclusions

In ultrasound-guided needle biopsy for peripheral lung lesions, using a combination of linear and non-linear puncture techniques and keeping away from necrotic areas and large blood vessels, may help to increase the success rate and reduce the incidence of complications further.

Conquering lung cancer: current status and prospects for the future

Lung cancer is a major global health problem. Several strategies are required to conquer this cancer. Stricter implementations of tobacco control measures are necessary. Early detection programs should be implemented to decrease lung cancer mortality. Although chemotherapy remains a cornerstone of treatment, targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors improved treatment of metastatic cancers and are hoped to improve outcome of adjuvant and induction therapies. Novel immunotherapy approaches hold great promise. Better understanding of the molecular biology of lung cancer should lead to rational drug design.

An unusual disease with an interesting sign

Acute interstitial pneumonias mimic infectious pneumonias. Radiology signs point to, but usually don't establish, diagnosis. http://bit.ly/3b3P1iK.

Lung cancer incidence and mortality with extended follow-up in the National LungScreening Trial

The extended follow-up of the NLST represents a timely and important update to the NLST data, alongside full results of the NELSON and the LUSI trials, as Europe begins to set out a vision for lung cancer screening. http://bit.ly/2MYXedI.

ESR/ERS statement paper on lung cancer screening

In Europe, lung cancer ranks third among the most common cancers, remaining the biggest killer. Since the publication of the first European Society of Radiology and European Respiratory Society joint white paper on lung cancer screening (LCS) in 2015, many new findings have been published and discussions have increased considerably. Thus, this updated expert opinion represents a narrative, non-systematic review of the evidence from LCS trials and description of the current practice of LCS as well as aspects that have not received adequate attention until now. Reaching out to the potential participants (persons at high risk), optimal communication and shared decision-making will be key starting points. Furthermore, standards for infrastructure, pathways and quality assurance are pivotal, including promoting tobacco cessation, benefits and harms, overdiagnosis, quality, minimum radiation exposure, definition of management of positive screen results and incidental findings linked to respective actions as well as cost-effectiveness. This requires a multidisciplinary team with experts from pulmonology and radiology as well as thoracic oncologists, thoracic surgeons, pathologists, family doctors, patient representatives and others. The ESR and ERS agree that Europe's health systems need to adapt to allow citizens to benefit from organised pathways, rather than unsupervised initiatives, to allow early diagnosis of lung cancer and reduce the mortality rate. Now is the time to set up and conduct demonstration programmes focusing, among other points, on methodology, standardisation, tobacco cessation, education on healthy lifestyle, cost-effectiveness and a central registry.

ESR/ERS statement paper on lung cancer screening

In Europe, lung cancer ranks third among the most common cancers, remaining the biggest killer. Since the publication of the first European Society of Radiology and European Respiratory Society joint white paper on lung cancer screening (LCS) in 2015, many new findings have been published and discussions have increased considerably. Thus, this updated expert opinion represents a narrative, non-systematic review of the evidence from LCS trials and description of the current practice of LCS as well as aspects that have not received adequate attention until now. Reaching out to the potential participants (persons at high risk), optimal communication and shared decision-making will be key starting points. Furthermore, standards for infrastructure, pathways and quality assurance are pivotal, including promoting tobacco cessation, benefits and harms, overdiagnosis, quality, minimum radiation exposure, definition of management of positive screen results and incidental findings linked to respective actions as well as cost-effectiveness. This requires a multidisciplinary team with experts from pulmonology and radiology as well as thoracic oncologists, thoracic surgeons, pathologists, family doctors, patient representatives and others. The ESR and ERS agree that Europe's health systems need to adapt to allow citizens to benefit from organised pathways, rather than unsupervised initiatives, to allow early diagnosis of lung cancer and reduce the mortality rate. Now is the time to set up and conduct demonstration programmes focusing, among other points, on methodology, standardisation, tobacco cessation, education on healthy lifestyle, cost-effectiveness and a central registry.Key Points• Pulmonologists and radiologists both have key roles in the set up of multidisciplinary LCS teams with experts from many other fields.• Pulmonologists identify people eligible for LCS, reach out to family doctors, share the decision-making process and promote tobacco cessation.• Radiologists ensure appropriate image quality, minimum dose and a standardised reading/reporting algorithm, together with a clear definition of a "positive screen".• Strict algorithms define the exact management of screen-detected nodules and incidental findings.• For LCS to be (cost-)effective, it has to target a population defined by risk prediction models.

Outcomes and cost of lung cancer patients treated surgically or medically in Catalunya: cost-benefit implications for lung cancer screening programs

Lung cancer screening programs with computed tomography of the chest reduce mortality by more than 20%. Yet, they have not been implemented widely because of logistic and cost implications. Here, we sought to: (1) use real-life data to compare the outcomes and cost of lung cancer patients with treated medically or surgically in our region and (2) from this data, estimate the cost-benefit ratio of a lung cancer screening program (CRIBAR) soon to be deployed in our region (Catalunya, Spain). We accessed the Catalan Health Surveillance System (CHSS) and analysed data of all patients with a first diagnosis of lung cancer between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2016. Analysis was carried forward until 30 months (t = 30) after lung cancer diagnosis. Main results showed that: (1) surgically treated lung cancer patients have better survival and return earlier to regular home activities, use less healthcare related resources and cost less tax-payer money and (2) depending on incidence of lung cancer identified and treated in the program (1-2%), the return on investment for CRIBAR is expected to break even at 3-6 years, respectively, after its launch. Surgical treatment of lung cancer is cheaper and offers better outcomes. CRIBAR is estimated to be cost-effective soon after launch.

Direct and indirect healthcare costs of lung cancer CT screening in Denmark: a registry study

INTRODUCTION

A study based on the Danish Randomised Controlled Lung Cancer Screening Trial (DLCST) calculated the healthcare costs of lung cancer screening by comparing costs in an intervention group with a control group. Participants in both groups, however, experienced significantly increased negative psychosocial consequences after randomisation. Substantial participation bias has also been documented: The DLCST participants reported fewer negative psychosocial aspects and experienced better living conditions compared with the random sample.

OBJECTIVE

To comprehensively analyse the costs of lung cancer CT screening and to determine whether invitations to mass screening alter the utilisation of the healthcare system resulting in indirect costs. Healthcare utilisation and costs are analysed in the primary care sector (general practitioner psychologists, physiotherapists, other specialists, drugs) and the secondary care sector (emergency room contacts, outpatient visits, hospitalisation days, surgical procedures and non-surgical procedures).

DESIGN

To account for bias in the original trial, the costs and utilisation of healthcare by participants in DLCST were compared with a new reference group, selected in the period from randomisation (2004-2006) until 2014.

SETTING

Four Danish national registers.

PARTICIPANTS

DLCST included 4104 current or former heavy smokers, randomly assigned to the CT group or the control group. The new reference group comprised a random sample of 535 current or former heavy smokers in the general Danish population who were never invited to participate in a cancer screening test.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Total healthcare costs including costs and utilisation of healthcare in both the primary and the secondary care sector.

RESULTS

Compared with the reference group, the participants in both the CT group (offered annual CT screening, lung function test and smoking counselling) and the control group (offered annual lung function test and smoking counselling) had significantly increased total healthcare costs, calculated at 60% and 48% respectively. The increase in costs was caused by increased use of healthcare in both the primary and the secondary sectors.

CONCLUSION

CT screening leads to 60% increased total healthcare costs. Such increase would raise the expected annual healthcare cost per participant from EUR 2348 to EUR 3756. Cost analysis that only includes costs directly related to the CT scan and follow-up procedures most likely underestimates total costs. Our data show that the increased costs are not limited to the secondary sector.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT00496977.

Developing a lung nodule management protocol specifically for cardiac CT: Methodology in the DISCHARGE trial

•

No lung nodule management algorithm exists specifically for cardiac CT.

•

The DISCHARGE trial is a pragmatic prospective randomized trial currently being undertaken across 16 countries in Europe for patients with stable chest pain.

•

As part of the trial a lung nodule algorithm is being evaluated based on modified lung-RADS nodule management algorithms.

•

The methodology of this ‘Lung-RADS for cardiac CT’ algorithm is presented.

Purpose

In this methodology paper we describe the development of a lung nodule management algorithm specifically for patients undergoing cardiac CT.

Methods

We modified the Lung-RADS algorithm specifically to manage lung nodules incidentally detected on cardiac CT (Lung-RADS for cardiac CT). We will evaluate the modified algorithm as part of the DISCHARGE trial (www.dischargetrial.eu) in which patients with suspected coronary artery disease are randomly assigned to cardiac CT or invasive coronary angiography across Europe at 16 sites involving 3546 patients. Patients will be followed for up to four years.

Results

The major adjustments to Lung-RADS specifically for cardiac CT relate to 1) incomplete coverage of the lungs by cardiac CT compared with chest CT, and when to order a completion chest CT versus a follow up chest CT, 2) cardiac CT findings will not trigger annual lung-cancer screening, and 3) a lower threshold of at least 10 mm for classifying new ground glass nodules as probably benign (category 3).

Conclusions

The DISCHARGE trial will assess a lung nodule management algorithm designed specifically for cardiac CT in patients with stable chest pain across Europe.

Management of incidental nodules in lung cancer screening: ready for prime-time?

Current clinical management of lung nodule patients is inefficient and therefore causes patient misclassification, which increases healthcare expenses. A precise and robust lung nodule classifier could minimise healthcare costs and discomfort for patients. http://bit.ly/2oMIEwQ.

Effect of 5-Line Signs in the Prediction of Staging, Progression, and Prognosis of Peripheral Lung Carcinoma: Preliminary Observation Report

BACKGROUND

The single line of the normal interlobar fissure shown on a thin section image can be reconstructed as a 5-line sign on axial maximal intensity projection. The line between the lung nodule and the pleura is called the pleural tail sign on thin image. On the axial maximal intensity projection, it can also be reconstructed as the 5-line sign or fewer than 5 lines.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to observe the effect of 5-line signs in staging, progression, and prognosis of peripheral lung carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 132 patients with peripheral lung carcinoma. Among these patients, 93 were men and 39 were women, with an age range of 27 to 82 years and a lung nodule range of 0.98 to 8.75 cm. Maximal intensity projection was reconstructed based on 1.0 or 1.25 mm of thin-slice images in multislice spiral computed tomography. Five-line signs on the margin of the nodule (mass) were observed and were classified into grades 1 to 4 according to the sharpness of the 5-line signs.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the sharpness of the 5-line signs was correlated with N and TNM staging of peripheral lung carcinoma (P = 0.012, P = 0.016). The lower the sharpness of the 5-line signs, the greater the number of cases of progression of the tumor (P < 0.001), and thus the higher the mortality rate and the lower the survival rate (P = 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of predicting tumor progression were 56.3% and 93.3%, and those of tumor prognosis were 61.1% and 82.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The sharpness of the 5-line signs has certain effects on the prediction of invasion, progression, and prognosis of lung carcinoma, particularly of small lung cancer (≤3.0 cm).

Sequential screening for lung cancer in a high-risk group: randomised controlled trial: LungSEARCH: a randomised controlled trial of Surveillance using sputum and imaging for the EARly detection of lung Cancer in a High-risk group

BACKGROUND

Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening detects early-stage lung cancer and reduces mortality. We proposed a sequential approach targeted to a high-risk group as a potentially efficient screening strategy.

METHODS

LungSEARCH was a national multicentre randomised trial. Current/ex-smokers with mild/moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were allocated (1:1) to have 5 years surveillance or not. Screened participants provided annual sputum samples for cytology and cytometry, and if abnormal were offered annual LDCT and autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB). Those with normal sputum provided annual samples. The primary end-point was the percentage of lung cancers diagnosed at stage I/II (nonsmall cell) or limited disease (small cell).

RESULTS

1568 participants were randomised during 2007-2011 from 10 UK centres. 85.2% of those screened provided an adequate baseline sputum sample. There were 42 lung cancers among 785 screened individuals and 36 lung cancers among 783 controls. 54.8% (23 out of 42) of screened individuals versus 45.2% (14 out of 31) of controls with known staging were diagnosed with early-stage disease (one-sided p=0.24). Relative risk was 1.21 (95% CI 0.75-1.95) or 0.82 (95% CI 0.52-1.31) for early-stage or advanced cancers, respectively. Overall sensitivity for sputum (in those randomised to surveillance) was low (40.5%) with a cumulative false-positive rate (FPR) of 32.8%. 55% of cancers had normal sputum results throughout. Among sputum-positive individuals who had AFB, sensitivity was 45.5% and cumulative FPR was 39.5%; the corresponding measures for those who had LDCT were 100% and 16.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our sequential strategy, using sputum cytology/cytometry to select high-risk individuals for AFB and LDCT, did not lead to a clear stage shift and did not improve the efficiency of lung cancer screening.

Smoking Cessation in the ITALUNG Lung Cancer Screening: What Does “Teachable Moment” Mean?

Background

Changes in smoking habits and predictors of smoking cessation were examined in the randomized ITALUNG lung cancer screening trial.

Methods

In three centers, eligible smokers or ex-smokers (55–69 years, ≥20 pack-years in the last 10 years) were randomized to receive annual invitation for low-dose computed tomography for 4 years or usual care. At invitation, subjects received written information for a free smoking cessation program. Quitting outcome was assessed at year 4.

Results

Among participants who completed baseline assessments and year 4 screening, higher quitting (20.8% vs. 16.7%, p = .029) and lower relapse (6.41% vs. 7.56%, p = .50) rates were observed in the active screening group as compared to the usual-care control group. Corresponding figures in the intention-to-treat analysis were as follows: 16.04% versus 14.64% (p = .059) and 4.88% versus 6.43% (p = .26). Quitting smoking was significantly associated to male gender, lower pack-years, and having pulmonary nodules at baseline. Center-specific analyses showed a threefold statistically significant higher probability to quit associated with participating in the smoking cessation program. A subsample of smokers of the scan group from one center showed higher quitting rates over 12-month follow-up as compared to matched controls from the general population who underwent the same smoking cessation program.

Conclusions

Consistently with previous reports, in the ITALUNG trial, screened subjects showed significantly higher quit rates than controls, and higher quit rates were associated with both the presence of pulmonary nodules and participating in a smoking cessation program. Maximal effect on quitting outcome was observed with the participation in the smoking cessation program.

Implications

Participating in lung cancer screening promotes smoking cessation. An effective “teachable moment” may be achieved when the smoking cessation intervention is structured as integral part of the screening clinical visits and conducted by a dedicated team of health care professionals. Standardized guidelines for smoking cessation interventions in lung cancer screening are needed.

[Lung cancer screening]

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE

The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) in 2011 was able to prove for the first time that screening with a low-dose CT can reduce lung carcinoma mortality by 20%. Despite the positive outcome of the NLST, there is-unlike in the USA-currently no systematic lung cancer screening in Europe. This is partly because several significantly smaller screening studies in Europe failed to show any improvement in lung cancer mortality.

STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS

On the other hand, Europe's healthcare systems differ substantially from those in the United States, so that a direct transfer of US experience to Europe is not possible. For this reason, guidelines for lung cancer screening must be developed in the individual European countries to ensure that lung cancer mortality can be reduced by means of a quality-assured and cost-effective lung cancer screening.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The experience and the expected results of the European screening studies can provide valuable help for these purposes.

Increased Incidence of Lung Cancer Among Patients With Superficial Transitional Cell Carcinoma: A Potential Risk Cohort for Lung Cancer Screening

BACKGROUND

Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer (LC) and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC). Current recommendations for LC screening do not include TCC as a risk factor for determining screening eligibility. In this study we aimed to evaluate whether TCC patients constitute a population who might benefit from LC screening.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 database was used to determine the incidence, standardized incidence ratio (SIR), and the average time to diagnosis of LC in patients with localized TCC of the bladder (American Joint Committee on Cancer, sixth edition, stages 0-1).

RESULTS

On the basis of 91,606 patients with localized TCC, The SIR for LC in men was 1.89 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-1.97), significantly different from the risk for all solid tumors. The SIR for LC in women was 2.43 (95% CI, 2.22-2.65), significantly higher than for men. The 5-year incidence of LC was 3.2%, and the 10-year incidence was 5.94%. The average time to diagnosis of LC was 3.4 years, with >80% of LC cases occurring within 5 years of TCC diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Patients with localized TCC have a higher incidence of LC than the general population. The risk is significantly increased among women compared with men. Considering this increased risk, patients with early stage TCC might stand to benefit from LC screening. Additional differences were noted between male and female TCC patients, which bear further study.

Comparison of ultra-low dose chest CT scanning protocols for the detection of pulmonary nodules: a phantom study

PURPOSE

To test ultra-low-dose computed tomography (ULDCT) scanning protocols for the detection of pulmonary nodules (PN).

METHODS

A chest phantom containing 19 solid and 11 subsolid PNs was scanned on a third-generation dual-source computed tomography (CT) scanner. Five ULDCT scans (Sn100kVp and 120, 70, 50, 30, and 20 reference mAs, using tube current modulation), reconstructed with iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithm at strength levels 2, 3, 4, and 5, were compared with standard CT (120kVp, 150 reference mAs, using tube current modulation). PNs were subjectively assessed according to a 4-point scale: 0, nondetectable nodule; 1, detectable nodule, very unlikely to be correctly measured; 2, detectable nodule, likely to be correctly measured; 3, PN quality equal to standard of reference. PN scores were analysed according to the Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS), simulating detection of nodules at baseline and incidence screening round.

RESULTS

For the baseline round, there were 17 Lung-RADS 2, 4 Lung-RADS 3, 8 Lung-RADS 4A, and 1 Lung-RADS 4B PNs. They were detectable in any ULDCT protocol, with the exception of 1 nondetectable part-solid nodule in 1 scanning protocol (120 reference mAs; IR strength: 3). For the incidence round, there were 4 Lung-RADS 2, 14 Lung-RADS 3, 2 Lung-RADS 4A, and 10 Lung-RADS 4B PNs. Ten were nondetectable in at least one ULDCT dataset; however, they were at least detectable in ULDCT with 70 reference mAs (IR strength: 4 and 5).

CONCLUSIONS

ULDCT scanning protocols allowing the detection of PNs can be proposed for the purpose of lung cancer screening.

Lung Cancer Screening: Use of Low-Dose Computed Tomography

INTRODUCTION

The prognosis of lung cancer (LC) correlates directly with the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed low-dose CT (LDCT) in asymptomatic individuals ≥50years old, smokers or former smokers of ≥10 pack-years, with no history of cancer. We followed an evaluation algorithm, according to the size and morphology of the nodules. The appropriate treatment for the LC diagnosis was given and patients were followed up for 5years.

RESULTS

We studied 4,951 individuals (65.4% males) with an average age of 56.89±5.26years; 550 presented nodules. Of the 3,891 nodules detected, 692 (19.57%) were considered positive, and 38 tumors (36LC) were identified. In the annual follow-up, nodules were found in 224 subjects, 288 (7.91%) of which were positive (13LC). In 80%, the study was performed with LDCT, and biopsy was indicated in 5.8% (baseline) and in 7.6% (annual) of the positive nodules. Prevalence was 0.89 and incidence was 0.1%. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV in the baseline study were 92.31, 89.54, 6.55 and 99.93%, respectively, and in the annual study, they were 76.92, 95.7, 4.52 and 99.94%, respectively. A total of 52 tumors were detected (49LC), 25 (52.08%) in stageI. The 5-year overall survival rate for LC was 58.5% and cancer-specific survival was 67.1% (75.8% in surgical patients).

CONCLUSION

LDCT integrated into an elaborate nodule detection and evaluation program is a useful tool for diagnosing early-stage LC.

Nomogram to predict postoperative PR in patients undergoing CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy

Background

Pleural reaction (PR) frequently occurs following computed tomography-guided transthoracic needle biopsy (CT-TNB). The purpose of this study was to establish a predictive model for PR following CT-TNB.

Methods

In this study, a total of 436 patients who underwent CT-TNB between June 2016 and December 2017 at a tertiary hospital were consecutively included. Patient demographics, lesion features, laboratory tests, and biopsy parameters were collected. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to establish a prediction model for post-CT-TNB PR, presented by a nomogram. Discrimination and calibration were assessed. For internal validation, a bootstrap resampling method was applied, and decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate its clinical utility.

Results

PR occurred in 7.8% (34/436) of patients. Four non-zero coefficient variables (gender, age, lesion location, and puncture position) were filtered by LASSO regression analysis and were used to establish a predictive model. The area under the curve in the derivation and validation was 0.840 (95% CI, 0.767-0.913) and 0.841 (95% CI, 0.769-0.912), respectively. The model was well-calibrated (P>0.05), and DCA indicated clinical efficacy.

Conclusions

In this study, we established a nomogram, including as parameters gender, age, lesion location, and puncture position, which may have great significance for individualized prediction of post-CT-TNB PR.

Assessing Lung Cancer Screening Programs under Uncertainty in a Heterogeneous Population

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer screening can reduce cancer mortality. Most implementation studies focus only on low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) and clinical attributes of screening and do not include preferences of potential participants. In this study we evaluated the perceived value of screening programs based on LDCT, breath analysis (BA), or blood biomarkers (BB) according to the perspective of the target population.

METHODS

A multi-criteria decision analysis framework was adopted. The weights of seven attributes of screening (sensitivity, specificity, radiation burden, duration of screening process, waiting time until results are communicated, location of screening, and mode of screening) were obtained from an earlier study that included a broad sample from the Netherlands. Performance data for the screening modalities was obtained from clinical trials and expert opinion. Parameter uncertainty about clinical performances was incorporated probabilistically, while heterogeneity in preferences was analyzed through subgroup analyses.

RESULTS

The mean overall values were 0.58 (CI: 0.57 to 0.59), 0.57 (CI: 0.56 to 0.59), and 0.44 (CI: 0.43 to 0.45) for BB, BA, and LDCT, respectively. Seventy-seven per cent of respondents preferred BB or BA. For most subgroups, the overall values were similar to those of the entire sample. BA had the highest value for respondents who would have been eligible for earlier screening trials.

DISCUSSION

BB and BA seem valuable to participants because they can be applied in a primary care setting. Although LDCT still seems preferable given its strong and positive evidence base, it is important to take non-clinical attributes into account to maximize attendance.

Parasternal intercostal muscle ultrasound in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease correlates with spirometric severity

In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), loss of computed tomography (CT)-measured intercostal mass correlates with spirometric severity. Intercostal muscle ultrasound offers a repeatable and radiation-free alternative, however requires validation. We aimed to determine the reliability of parasternal intercostal muscle ultrasound, and the concurrent validity of parasternal ultrasound with clinicometric parameters. Twenty stable COPD patients underwent ultrasound measurement of thickness and echogenicity of 2^nd and 3^rd parasternal intercostal muscles, dominant pectoralis major and quadriceps, and diaphragm thickness; spirometry; and chest CT. Intra-rater intraclass correlation (ICC) for ultrasound intercostal thickness was 0.87-0.97 depending on site, with echogenicity ICC 0.63-0.91. Inter-rater ICC was fair to excellent. Ultrasound intercostal thickness moderately correlated with FEV₁% predicted (r = 0.33) and quadriceps thickness (r = 0.31). Echogenicity correlated negatively with FEV₁% predicted (r = -0.32). CT-measured lateral intercostal mass correlate negatively with parasternal ultrasound intercostal thickness. These data confirm ultrasound of parasternal intercostal musculature is reproducible. Lower intercostal muscle quantity and quality reflects greater COPD spirometric severity. This novel tool may have biomarker potential for both the systemic effects of COPD on muscle as well as local disruption of respiratory mechanics. The negative correlation between CT and ultrasound measurements may reflect complex site-dependent interactions between respiratory muscles and the chest wall.