Swiss pilot low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening study

Abstract

Abstract Objective Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening is endorsed by US guidelines and has recently been shown effective in a large European randomized controlled trial. Nevertheless, actual realization of a lung cancer screening program is challenging and depends on country-specific factors. This pilot study aimed to evaluate implementation, execution, and performance of LDCT lung cancer screening in Switzerland. Methods Since October 2018, asymptomatic participants aged 55–74 years with more than 30 pack-years smoking history were enrolled at a tertiary hospital in Switzerland. Participants with history of lung cancer, major (palliative) health problems or those that had a thorax CT scan 18 months prior to enrollment were excluded. First, we evaluated lung cancer risk according to NLST guidelines. Second, we estimated lung cancer risk using the PLCOm2012 model risk calculator with threshold of 5%. Lung nodules were assessed according to Lung-RADS (Version 1.1. 2019). Participants were recruited through flyers, a newspaper article and pulmonary specialists. Screening consisted of one LDCT-scan, follow-up was recommended for suspicious nodules only. LDCT assessment was performed by two radiologists, one of them a board certified chest radiologist. Enrollment and follow-up are currently ongoing. Results To date, 75 participants (25 (33%) females) with a median age of 62 years (interquartile range [IQR] 56–67 years) were included. Median number of pack years smoked was 49 (IQR 41–58 pack years). Median PLCOm2012 6-year lung cancer probability was 2.7% (IQR 2.6–2.9%), 19 (26%) participants had stopped smoking before enrollment. 6 participants required follow up imaging of suspect nodules, resulting in a recall rate of 8%. At baseline, lung cancer was found in 2 (2.7%, one squamous cell (stage IIIA) and one adenocarcinoma (stage IV)) participants. Conclusion In this Swiss LDCT lung cancer screening pilot study using modified inclusion criteria, 2.7% were diagnosed with lung cancer to date.