Low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening.

Lung cancers, primarily caused by tobacco smoking, are the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and around the world. Screening of select high-risk patients using low-dose helical computed tomography (LD-CT) has been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality by 20% compared with chest radiography. However, because there are risks to LD-CT lung cancer screening, it should be performed only on current or former tobacco smokers. This article introduces readers to the epidemiology, pathobiology, diagnostic imaging, and diagnosis, staging, and treatment of lung cancer; primary and secondary prevention strategies; LD-CT lung screening parameters; research findings; and resulting practice guidelines.