Computer-aided detection of early-stage lung cancer

A computer-aided detection (CAD) method may help radiologists identify cancerous lung nodules at an early stage, according to a study performed at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, MD.

"In our study we identified 88 nodules that were not detected at the time of interpretation but visible in retrospect and were subsequently determined to be lung cancers," said Joseph Jen-Sho Chen, MD, lead author of the study. "CAD was applied to the overlooked nodules and we found that 45-55% of the missed nodules were found using the CAD software. The implication of our study is that it is possible that at least some of the nodules representing lung cancer might have been diagnosed at an earlier stage, resulting in early treatment and perhaps a better outcome," said Dr. Chen.

"The complexity of the structures in the chest including the ribs, mediastinum and pulmonary vessels can make it difficult to identify separate pulmonary nodules that may represent an early lung cancer from normal anatomy," said Dr. Chen. "Computer-aided detection is a method that can be used to assist the radiologist in the search for lung cancer. The software highlights abnormalities that may be overlooked by the radiologist on an initial search," said Dr. Chen.

"Lung cancer accounts for more than 150,000 deaths annually in the US alone. Overall, only about 15% of patients survive five years or more, but with early detection, survival increases to greater than 70%," said Dr. Chen. "The use of CAD may be particularly valuable in early lung cancer, where the findings are often subtle," he said.

"We hope ultimately that studies such as ours will determine whether CAD should be adopted as part of the standard armamentarium for evaluating lung nodules," said Dr. Chen.