Screening for Lung Cancer in Current or Past Smokers With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

* Meets 1 of the following criteria:

  * Current smoker, defined as ≥ a 20 pack year smoking history and/or 20 year duration of smoking
  * Ex-smoker who has quit smoking within the past 8 years AND has ≥ a 20 pack year smoking history and/or 20 year duration of smoking
* Mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as defined by the GOLD criteria

  * Mild COPD: FEV\_1/forced vital capacity (FVC) \< 70%; FEV\_1 ≥ 80% of predicted\*
  * Moderate COPD: FEV\_1/FVC \< 70%; FEV\_1 50-80% of predicted\* NOTE: \*Spirometric values will be obtained post bronchodilator according to the recommendations in the GOLD criteria

Exclusion criteria:

* Inadequate lung function (FEV\_1 \< 50% of predicted after bronchodilator)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

* Life expectancy must be at least 5 years

Exclusion criteria:

* History of malignant disease within the past 5 years except non-melanomatous skin cancers
* Other serious co-morbidity
* Evidence of severe or uncontrolled systemic diseases that, in the view of the investigator, makes it undesirable for the patient to participate in this trial
* Any disorder making reliable informed consent impossible
* Unlikely to co-operate with a 5 year follow-up

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* Patients may receive all concurrent therapy deemed to provide adequate care as decided by their medical doctors