Lung Cancer Screening: Adjuncts and Alternatives to Low-Dose CT Scans

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer related mortality in US. The National Lung Screening Trial has demonstrated a mortality benefit of using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in the screening of LC in high-risk individuals. The US Preventive Service Task Force has given screening for LC with LDCT a grade B recommendation; however, it recognizes gaps in generalizability to the population that would qualify for screening. There are a number of new tests in various stages of evaluation and development that hold promise as adjuncts or alternatives to LDCT. The following is a review of these novel diagnostic tests.