Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening
Low-dose CT scan (LDCT scan) is a computed tomography imaging using low-dose radiation. It differs from the standard CT scan by using a much lower dose of ionized radiation to produce images. Patients do not have to worry that they are overexposed to radiation. Modern scanners, such as the ones installed at MedPark Hospital, offer ultra-low-dose radiation CT scans without compromising the image quality. It is a painless and noninvasive screening test that only takes minutes to complete.
LDCT scan for lung cancer screening takes multiple chest images while the patients lie flat on the X-ray table. The images are combined to reconstruct detailed internal organ images, highlighting the lungs. Due to the high image qualities, the scan can detect a small lung nodule or early stages of lung cancer. According to studies, LDCT can lower the mortality rate from lung cancer by 20%, particularly for high-risk people.
Candidate for annual Low-dose CT Lung Cancer Screening
- Current smokers aged 50 to 80 years with 20 pack-years or more of smoking history.
- Ex-smokers with 20 pack-years or more of smoking history who quit less than 15 years.
- Secondhand smoke exposure
- Those with a family history of lung cancer
- Those exposed to radioactive radon gas or radiation
- Exposure to PM 2.5 particles and air pollution for an extended time.
In addition, the person’s general health would allow treatment if lung cancer is detected.
The procedure of the Low-dose CT scan
Before the procedure
No special preparation is required. However, you should not wear metallic objects, such as earrings or wedding rings, on the day of the procedure. And if you are or think you may be pregnant, inform the radiologist right away.
Contrast injection is not necessary for an LDCT lung cancer scan.
During the procedure
You will lie supine on a moveable table. The radiologist may ask you to raise your hands over your head, inhale deeply and hold your breath. The table will move into the scanner while the X-ray beam circles you in a spiral path, creating slices of images and reconstructing them into 3D images.
The radiologist will study them for any abnormalities. The CT scan takes a couple of minutes.
After the procedure
The radiologist will send the result to your doctor, who will discuss it with you.
- A positive result means an abnormality or nodule is detected. Your doctor may order additional tests to plan appropriate treatment.
- A negative result means no abnormality is detected. Your doctor may advise you to have an annual screening, depending on your medical history and symptoms.
- Indeterminate means the result is not definite, and you may need another scan later.
This diagnostic imaging can detect cancer in patients with fast-growing cancers, but it may not be able to pinpoint ground-glass nodule types of cancer.
