Detection of Early Lung Cancer: Results of Radiologic and Cytologic Screening in the Miyagi Program

Abstract

Eighty-two primary and 6 metastatic lung cancers were detected during 3 years from 1982 to 1984 by X-ray examinations in a total of 363, 320 participants. Sputum cytology in the high-risk group (above 50 years of age with cigarette index above 600) resulted in detection of 67 malignant tumors which included 62 primary lung cancers. Of the lung cancers detected by sputum cytology 82.3% were radiographically occult lung cancers. The annual ratio of detection was 45/100,000 in the first year. It decreased to 38/100,000 in the second year and to 15/100,000 in the third year. Resection was performed in 63.6%, 76.1% and 80% in the first, second and third years respectively. On the average, 57% of the resections were early lung cancers. Especially of 51 cases detected by sputum cytology, 45 underwent resection, of which 40 (89%) were early lung cancers. © 1986, The Japan Lung Cancer Society. All rights reserved.