Lung Screening | Greensboro Radiology

Lung Screening

Respiratory Imaging

What is lung cancer screening?



In lung cancer screening, individuals who have a high risk of developing lung cancer but no signs or symptoms of the disease undergolow-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scanning of the chest.

CT scanning combines special x-ray equipment with sophisticated computers to produce multiple, cross-sectional images or pictures of the inside of the body. LDCT produces images of sufficient quality to detect many lung diseases and abnormalities using up to 90 percent less ionizing radiation than a conventional chest CT scan.

In the past, two other tests have been used to check for lung cancer: chest x-ray and sputum cytology. A chest x-ray makes images of the heart, lungs, airways, blood vessels and the bones of the spine and chest. Imaging with x-rays involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging. Sputum cytology is a procedure in which a sample of sputum (mucus that is coughed up from the lungs) is viewed under a microscope to check for cancer cells. However, the use of chest x-ray and sputum cytology, individually or in combination, has not resulted in a decreased risk of dying from lung cancer.

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Who should consider lung cancer screening – and why?

About Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. The two most common types are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The type of cancer is diagnosed based on how the cells look under a microscope.

Lung cancer that is detected early — before spreading to other areas of the body — is more successfully treated. Unfortunately, when lung cancer is typically diagnosed today, the disease has already spread outside the lung in 15 to 30 percent of cases.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and worldwide. Approximately 85 percent of lung cancer occurs in current or former cigarette smokers. It is estimated that there are more than 94 million current and former smokers in the United States, many of whom are at high risk of developing the disease.

Screening Trials




National Lung Screening Trial

Current recommendations for lung cancer screening followed publication of a recent large, randomized clinical trial sponsored by the National Cancer Institute called the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST).

The NLST was performed to determine whether screening chest CT exams could reduce death rates from lung cancer among those at high risk for the disease. The trial studied more than 53,000 men and women aged 55 to 74 who were current or former heavy smokers at 33 sites across the United States. Each participant was randomly assigned to receive screenings with either low dose CT (LDCT) or standard chest x-ray once per year for three consecutive years. The trial demonstrated 20 percent fewer lung cancer deaths among the trial participants screened with LDCT.

New Screening Recommendations

Based on the NLST results and other studies, the National Comprehensive Cancer NetworkAmerican Lung AssociationAmerican College of Chest PhysiciansAmerican Thoracic Society and the American Cancer Society all now recommend that individuals at high risk for developing lung cancer consider annual screening with LDCT.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued a draft recommendation in favor of annual screening for lung cancer with LDCT in persons at high risk for lung cancer based on age and smoking history. For more information, please Be sure to check back at for updates.

If you have questions about lung cancer screening, it may be helpful to discuss with your physician and refer to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for lung cancer screening.

Risk Factors for Lung Cancer

Anything that increases an individual’s chances of developing disease is called a risk factor. Risk factors for lung cancer include:

  • tobacco smoking
  • contact with radonasbestos or other cancer-causing agents
  • a personal history of smoking related cancer
  • a family history of lung cancer
  • certain chronic lung diseases

How to Compute "Pack-Years"

To translate your smoking history into 'pack years,' simply multiply the number of cigarette packs you have smoked per day by the number of years you have smoked. For example: 1½ packs a day smoked over a 30-year period = 45 pack years.

Individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer who might consider LDCT screening should meet the following criteria:

age between 55 to 74 years


a cigarette smoking history of at least 30pack-years


being a current cigarette smoker or a former smoker who quit within the last 15 years

Individuals who are at least 50 years old and have at least a 20 pack-year history of smoking as well as one other risk factor (except contact with secondhand smoke) are also considered to be at high risk by the NCCN and may also benefit from lung cancer screening with LDCT.

To determine whether you are a candidate for lung cancer screening, you should see your doctor, who will review your medical history and advise you on the benefits, limitations and potential risks of the test.

Experts also note that lung cancer screening should:

  • be performed by medical professionals and facilities that have an expertise in LDCT screening
  • be part of a multidisciplinary program for treating lung cancer that includes primary care doctors, pulmonologists, radiologists,thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists and pathologists
  • not be a substitute for quitting smoking. Not smoking is the best way to prevent lung cancer.

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How is lung cancer screening performed?

CT scanning works like other x-ray examinations. X-rays are a form of radiation that can be directed after their passage through the part of the body being examined. Different body parts absorb the x-rays in varying degrees. See the Safety page for more information about x-rays.

With CT scanning, numerous x-ray beams and a set of electronic x-ray detectors rotate around you, measuring the amount of radiation being absorbed throughout your body. At the same time, the examination table is moving through the scanner, so that the x-ray beam follows a helical path. A special computer program processes this large volume of data to create two-dimensional cross-sectional images of your body, which are then displayed on a monitor. This technique is called helical or spiral CT.

For chest CT, the technologist will position you on the examination table, usually lying flat on your back or less commonly, on your side or on your stomach. Straps and pillows may be used to help you maintain the correct position and to help you remain still during the exam. You will usually be asked to raise your arms over your head. Next, the table will move quickly through the scanner to determine the correct starting position for the scans. Then, the table will move slowly through the machine as the actual CT scanning is performed while you hold your breath for the short five to 10 second scan.

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What are the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening?


  • CT scanning is painless and noninvasive.
  • X-rays used in LDCT of the chest scans have no immediate side effects.
  • Lung cancer found by screening with LDCT is often at an earlier stage of disease.


  • False positive results occur when a test appears to be abnormal but no lung cancer is found. Abnormal findings may require additional testing to determine whether or not cancer is present. These tests, such as additional CT exams or more invasive tests in which a piece of lung tissue is removed (called a biopsy), have risks and may cause a patient anxiety.
  • Test results that appear to be normal even when lung cancer is present are called false-negative results. A person who receives a false-negative test result may delay seeking medical care.
  • Not all of the cancers detected by LDCT will be found in the early stage of the disease. Screening that detects lung cancer may not improve your health or help you live longer if the disease has already spread beyond the lungs to other places in the body.
  • LDCT lung screening and all other screening exams can lead to the detection and treatment of cancer which may never have harmed you. This can result in unnecessary treatment, complications, and cost.
  • Health insurance companies and Medicare may not cover the cost of an LDCT scan to screen for lung cancer.
  • There is a theoretical small risk of cancer from exposure to low dose radiation. See the Safety page for more information about radiation dose.

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What happens if something is detected on my screening exam?

Lung cancer typically occurs in the form of a lung nodule, a relatively round lesion or area of abnormal tissue within the lung. The vast majority (greater than 95%) of these nodules do not represent cancer but instead represent areas of scarring in the lung from prior infection or small lymph nodes. If your LDCT scan detects a nodule, your physician will likely recommend a follow-up LDCT scan several months later to check that the nodule does not change in size. In the event the nodule grows or is suspicious, your doctor may recommend further evaluation with an advanced imaging study (PET) and/or removal of a small piece of the nodule (called a biopsy). A pathologist can analyze the cells from the biopsy under a microscope to determine whether the nodule is malignant (cancerous) or benign.

If the nodule is cancerous, additional blood and imaging tests may be recommended to determine the stage of the tumor. The imaging tests usually include computed tomography (CT) scanning of the chest, and may include a bone scan or a PET/CT scan. The treatment options and expected results of treatment depend on the stage of the tumor.

For detailed information regarding treatments see the Lung Cancer Treatment page.

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What is the cost of a screening CT?

Each institution sets their price for the exam. Usually, you will be required to pay for the exam up front and then submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Most insurance companies do not currently cover lung cancer screening. The prices available are varied up to several hundred dollars, so consider calling at least a few places for pricing prior to having your exam performed.

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Where can I find more information about lung cancer screening?

You can find more information on lung cancer screening at:

Innovative Physician Partners