Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) and Roentgen in Lung Cancer: Evaluation of Patients in General Practice

The prognosis of lung cancer depends much on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Only 16 % of lung cancer can be offered curative intended surgery. Chest x-ray is the gate-keeper in lung cancer diagnosis, but it has a miss rate of 20-60 %. A false negative chest x-ray often causes prolonged delay in diagnosis - often months. Recently a "48 hour diagnosis guaranty" has been implemented, which helps accelerate the system delay (delay from referral to diagnosis). But chest x-ray is still the gate-keeper; if the chest x-ray is negative further examination ceases. PET/CT has a higher sensitivity (96 %), than chest x-ray. In the latter years only little improvement in the survival rate of lung cancer has been made. Screening studies is currently been performed, but it's time for innovative thinking. PET/CT has established its place in the staging of lung cancer. But studies like this may help to place PET/CT in the chain of examination making it more cost-beneficial. The overall aim of this study is to improve patient course with earlier diagnosis of lung cancer.

Sex

All

Minimum age

60 Years

Maximum age

80 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Pt. referred from general practice to a chest x-ray
* age 60-80 years
* current or former smoker

Exclusion Criteria:

* previously diagnosed with lung cancer
* contraindications to PET/CT