A Low-Dose CT Scan Could Be the Key to Lung Cancer Survival

Lung cancer often does not cause symptoms in its early stages. For some people, the only way to find lung cancer early is through screening, which can spot tiny tumors before they make themselves known. 

Early detection is important because it can dramatically increase survival – raising the 5-year survival rate from about 18% to as high as 64%–93% for localized stage 1 cases. In the United States, lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in both men and women.

“As lung cancer grows, symptoms may develop, including a persistent or worsening cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, or coughing up blood,” says hematologist oncologist Talar Telvizian, MD, with LVH Hematology Oncology–1240 Cedar Crest and E. Norwegian Street, both part of Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. “However, symptoms can vary from person to person, and having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have lung cancer.”

A low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan is a specialized, fast X-ray test that creates detailed, 3D cross-sectional images of the lungs. An LDCT scan uses about one-fifth to one-half the radiation of a standard diagnostic chest CT scan.

Screening for lung cancer, using an LDCT scan, is supported by a recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The task force reviewed the large National Lung Screening Trial along with several other lung cancer screening studies and determined that early screening is valuable, especially for people who meet certain criteria related to their risk for developing lung cancer.

If you're at risk for, or have been diagnosed with lung cancer, Jefferson Health offers experts clinical care. We are home to dedicated care teams in lung cancer, screening and nodules, thoracic oncology and thoracic surgery, that collaborate to offer patients advanced care for prevention, screening and early detection, treatment, and minimally invasive and robotic surgery for different types of lung cancer. 

A patient is considered high risk and eligible for screening when they meet all the following criteria:

• They are between the ages of 50 and 80 (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services places this range at 50 to 77 years)
• They have a 20 or more pack-year smoking history (which means smoking one pack per day for 20 years; two packs per day for 10 years, etc.)
• They currently smoke, or quit smoking within the past 15 years

If a patient is considered at high risk and agrees to be screened, a written prescription is required. The LDCT scanning process takes 1 to 2 minutes and doesn’t require needles or contrast dye. It is typically completed in one breath-hold. 

If no lung cancer is detected, then each year our team will review the patient’s risk factors. We will determine if a lung cancer screening should be repeated in the future or if the patient is no longer considered at high risk. 

Through the Affordable Care Act, Medicare Part B covers the cost of one annual lung cancer screening for people who meet the guidelines.

“I encourage patients to speak with their primary care clinician or other specialists about risk for lung cancer, particularly if the risk factors listed above pertain to you,” Dr. Telvizian says. “Early detection helps patients start lung cancer treatment sooner and may mean the disease is not only more treatable, in some cases, it may also be curable.”