LUNG CANCER SCREENING IN VOJVODINA PROVINCE

Abstract

Introduction Better survival of lung cancer (LC) patients is possible if the diagnosis is made early in the disease course. Low-dose CT in a high-risk population for developing LC enables cancer detection in the earlier stages of the disease and improves survival. Method LC screening with low-dose CT was performed at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina (IPBV) from September 2020 to December 2022. People aged 50-74 years, ex-smokers (started smoking 10 years ago) and active smokers with •30 pack-years, or •20 pack-years with additional risk factors, were included. We retrospectively analyzed screen population characteristics, screening results (according to Lung-RADS score) and definite findings of suspicious nodules by histological type and LC stage by gender. Results During the observed period, a total of 3432 LDCT scans were performed, of which 62.3% (2138) were baseline LDCT. Suspicious and highly suspicious nodule findings (Lung-RADS 4) were observed in 196 (9.2%) subjects. The emphysema was registered in 709 (33.2%) subjects. The LC detection rate was 1.8% (40/2138). 88.5% (23/26) of confirmed LC were detected after the initial LDCT, while the remaining 11.5% (3/26) were established after the follow-up period. 75% (30/40) of LC were in stages I to IIIA. Non-small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma 60.0% (24/40), squamous cancers 22.5% (9/40) and other non-small cell cancers (NOS) 5.0% (2/40)) accounted for 85.7% (35/40), while small cells lung cancer was present in 12.5% (5/40). Conclusion Most LC cases were detected in the early stage of the disease. Therefore, screening for LC should cover the high-risk population in the territory of the entire Republic.