Nearly half of patients at high risk for lung cancer delayed screening

According to a study published at the ATS 2022 international conference, the first study to look at patients at high risk for lung cancer after CT scans found that 47 percent delayed the next screening.

“The fact that almost half of all patients with abnormal results in our study experienced delays Further follow-up is alarming, “said study author, MD, Alvia Ahmed, residency in internal medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center research scientist. that involved in lung cancer screening is low compared to other types of examinations such as mammography and screening for colorectal cancerbut this may be partly due to that lungs cancer screening is a relatively new service. However, it is confusing to see that among those surveyed who have abnormal results, there is a significant delay in the recommended follow-up activities. This can eventually lead to a delayed diagnosis of lung cancer. ”

Dr. Ahmed and his colleagues examined patients who participated in a lung cancer screening program in Seattle who underwent baseline or annual screening between 2012 and January 2021. The results received four classifications based on the Lung-RADS assessment tool established by the American College. Radiology – lung-RADS 3, 4A, 4B and 4X – low to high risk. Further maintenance included a second CT scan, other relevant imaging, and / or consultation on the specialty or procedure. The delay time was considered to be more than 30 days after the recommended follow-up and 30 days for all 4B and 4X patients who had very suspicious results.

Three hundred and ninety-seven patients with 464 surveys had high-risk findings. Fifty-nine patients (15 percent) were eventually diagnosed with lung cancer. The average delay time was 91 days, although those with the most severe results had smaller delays (32 days for Lung-RADS 4B and 4X). Current smokers had longer delays than former smokers, which put them at greater risk for lung cancer.

“Interventions are needed at both the physician and patient levels to ensure that high-risk patients receive adequate supervision,” Dr. Ahmed said.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths. Lung cancer screening with low-dose chest CT is a science-based tool to reduce mortality in patients with the highest risk. Although a number of recent studies have examined (and found) low follow-up rates among those with negative baseline examinations, prior to this study there were no studies that looked at delays in monitoring high-risk outcomes that are more likely to cause lung cancer diagnoses.

Dr Ahmed said: “When I started this study with my teacher Dr Matthew Triplet, I was surprised to learn that most of the research was focused on absorption screening for lung cancer and nothing more. Quite a lot of work has been done to understand and improve long-term maintenance for people with normal screening exams, but little research on abnormal findings. Given the likely impact of delays in diagnosis, we hope our research will spur further research in this area. ”