Quantitative imaging workshop XIX: Utilizing quantitative thoracic imaging to optimize population health final summary

• Published in: International journal of cancer Vol. 154; no. 8; pp. 1365 - 1370
• Main Authors: Mulshine, James L., Avila, Riccardo S., Rizzo, Albert A., Estepar, Raul San Jose, McGlothlin, Anita, Pyenson, Bruce, Hoyos, Jody, Aldigé, Carolyn R., Yankelevitz, David F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 15.04.2024; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Calcification (ectopic); Cancer screening; Computed tomography; Coronary artery; coronary artery calcification; Early Detection of Cancer - methods; Emphysema; Humans; Lung; Lung cancer; lung cancer screening; Lung Neoplasms - epidemiology; Lung nodules; Medical imaging; Middle Aged; Parenchyma; Public health; quantitative CT imaging; Thoracic Diseases; Thorax; Tobacco; tobacco‐related diseases; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; tobacco-related diseases; lung cancer screening; coronary artery calcification; quantitative CT imaging; emphysema
• ISSN: 0020-7136; 1097-0215
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34825

Lung cancer screening involves the use of thoracic CT for both detection and measurements of suspicious lung nodules to guide the screening management. Since lung cancer screening eligibility typically requires age over 50 years along with >20 pack‐year tobacco exposure, thoracic CT scans also frequently reveal evidence for pulmonary emphysema as well as coronary artery calcification. These three thoracic diseases are collectively three of the leading causes of premature death across the world. Screening for the major thoracic diseases in this heavily tobacco‐exposed cohort is broadening the focus of lung cancer screening to a more comprehensive health evaluation including discussing the relevance of screen‐detected findings of the heart and lung parenchyma. The status and implications of these emerging issues were reviewed in a multidisciplinary workshop focused on the process of quantitative imaging in the lung cancer screening setting to guide the evolution of this important new area of public health. What's new? Tobacco use is associated with the development of lung cancer, emphysema, and coronary artery disease. With these three thoracic diseases representing the three leading causes of premature death across the world, the potential of lung cancer screening to save lives is enormous. The specific goal of the 2022 Quantitative Imaging Workshop was to advance the use of quantitative CT imaging to detect not only lung cancer but other major thoracic, smoking‐related diseases occurring in older individuals. A strategy is needed to ensure the development of carefully validated computational tools to responsibly advance the use of this important public health approach.