Lung Cancer Screening with Low-Dose CT: Current Status in Other Countries

ABSTRACT

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. The most effective way to reduce lung cancer mortality is early detection and treatment. Two large randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the National Lung Screening Trial and the Dutch-Belgian Randomized Lung Cancer Screening Trial, showed that low-dose CT (LDCT) can reduce the chances of lung cancer death. This paper reviews the two aforementioned RCTs and the current situations of implementing LDCT screening in several counties. Although nationwide programs of lung cancer screening are rare, they would increase in the near future. Using the two aforementioned RCTs and accumulating data from many counties, including the East Asian countries, a more effective way of LDCT screening in Korea can be devised and implemented.