Lung Cancer Screening: Low-Dose Thoracic Computed Tomography Performed in a High-Risk Portuguese Population

The Urgeiriça mines were once the main uranium producer in Portugal. The aim of this study was to estimate the benefit of low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer screening in former miners that were considered as being at high-risk.

A subgroup of former miners of the Uranium National Company exposed to uranium and with a smoking load greater than 20 pack-years, agreed to perform a LDCT. The Fleischner Society Guidelines were used to classify the nodules and establish follow-up.

Initially, 265 former employees of the Uranium National Company were included. The mean time of employment was 15 (0 - 45) years. The non-smokers represented 50.9% and 30.2% were ever smokers; the remaining chose not to respond. One diagnosis of lung cancer was initially made. In the second phase, a subgroup of 66 former miner underwent a LDCT, 37 of whom presented pulmonary nodules. Most computed tomography (CT) scans revealed one single nodule (n = 13) and the mean size was 5 (1 - 16) mm. A suspicious 16 mm spiculated nodule was evaluated with PET/CT, and percutaneous and surgical biopsies, ultimately revealing a benign lesion.

The data highlights the importance of lung cancer screening in high-risk populations. This was, to the best of our knowledge, the first study performed in Portugal and can act as a bridge towards a wider implementation in the country.