Lung cancer screening

The result of a lung cancer screening program should be fewer lung cancer-specific deaths in the screened population. Studies evaluating chest imaging as a screening tool for lung cancer have not shown a reduction in lung cancer-specific mortality to date. The ability of institutions using chest imaging to meet the criteria for successful screening programs has also been debated. Contentious issues include the presence of an overdiagnosis bias, the ability to find preclinical disease at a curable point in time, the amount of pseudodisease identified, and the cost-effectiveness of screening programs. Current guidelines remain vague as randomized trials are being completed and technologic advances are occurring. The ultimate face of a successful lung cancer screening program is yet to be defined.