Long-term Oncologic and financial implications of lung cancer screening

Benefits and risks of computed tomography lung cancer screening are discussed with specific focus on oncologic and financial issues. Earlier disease stage at diagnosis implies that more patients are treated surgically, but the changes in oncologic treatment will not be dramatic. The crucial issue for implementation of screening will be that it is cost effective. Preliminary data from the National Lung Screening Trial indicate that it is cost effective and comparable to screening for other major malignancies. Some future modifications in the computed tomography screening methodology are discussed.