Lung cancer screening trials: Review of literature

Lung cancer is considered one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Survival depends mainly on clinical stage of the disease, histological type of lung cancer and patient's performance status. Implementation of a screening program among high-risk subjects might increase overall survival by increasing detection of lung cancers in early stages. In general an ideal screening program should be highly sensitive and specific, based on simple and safe examinations, cost effective and easily implemented. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is currently the only proposed screening method for lung cancer. Based on the results of the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), which was conducted in the USA and proved a 20% reduction in lung cancer specific related mortality, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force proposed official guidelines since 2014. In Europe there are no lung cancer screening recommendations/guidelines as the final results of the NELSON trial are still pending. The aim of this paper is to review the most important published trials on lung cancer screening.