Mr Cranky's lungs got checked
They found a small area they want to keep an eye on. Found this article today--he fits the profile they're talking about. Have you had your lungs checked?
Lung scans could spot tumors early
Source: HealthDay
(HealthDay News) -- A specific type of CT screening may help doctors spot lung cancers early, when they are more treatable, a new Spanish study suggests.
"Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world," researcher Dr. Javier J. Zulueta, of the pulmonary medicine department at the Clinica Universitaria in Pamplona, said in a prepared statement.
"It is the most common cancer in many countries and because most patients are diagnosed in late stages, it is also the most lethal. Less than 20 percent of individuals suffering from this disease are diagnosed in stages in which curative surgery is an option," Zulueta said.
On the other hand, he said, "survival rates for early-stage disease are quite high, approaching 80 percent."
Using low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) to screen for early-stage lung cancer can provide early diagnosis in many cases and possibly improve patients' chances of being cured, the Spanish team believes. After the initial CT screening, a possible second step would involve the use of positron emission tomography (PET) to analyze suspicious nodules 10 millimeters or larger, along with smaller-growing nodules more than 7 mm in size that were first detected by CT.
The use of CT and PET together could also help minimize unnecessary invasive procedures for benign lesions, the researchers contend.
All 911 participants enrolled in the study were considered at high risk for lung cancer. They averaged around 55 years of age and were long-term, heavy smokers.
Using the CT/PET protocol, the researchers detected lung cancer in 14 of the participants. Of those 14 cases, 13 were diagnosed as non-small cell lung cancers and one small cell lung cancer. Eleven of the 13 non-small cell lung cancers and the one case of small cell lung cancer were detected on the initial CT screening, they noted.
The findings are published in the June issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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More information: The American Cancer Society has more about early detection of lung cancer.
----
For the latest health news & Health-Life Services like tools, calculators, & a physician locator, go to www.healthday.com.
Copyright © 2005 ScoutNews LLC. All rights reserved.
Lung scans could spot tumors early
Source: HealthDay
(HealthDay News) -- A specific type of CT screening may help doctors spot lung cancers early, when they are more treatable, a new Spanish study suggests.
"Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world," researcher Dr. Javier J. Zulueta, of the pulmonary medicine department at the Clinica Universitaria in Pamplona, said in a prepared statement.
"It is the most common cancer in many countries and because most patients are diagnosed in late stages, it is also the most lethal. Less than 20 percent of individuals suffering from this disease are diagnosed in stages in which curative surgery is an option," Zulueta said.
On the other hand, he said, "survival rates for early-stage disease are quite high, approaching 80 percent."
Using low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) to screen for early-stage lung cancer can provide early diagnosis in many cases and possibly improve patients' chances of being cured, the Spanish team believes. After the initial CT screening, a possible second step would involve the use of positron emission tomography (PET) to analyze suspicious nodules 10 millimeters or larger, along with smaller-growing nodules more than 7 mm in size that were first detected by CT.
The use of CT and PET together could also help minimize unnecessary invasive procedures for benign lesions, the researchers contend.
All 911 participants enrolled in the study were considered at high risk for lung cancer. They averaged around 55 years of age and were long-term, heavy smokers.
Using the CT/PET protocol, the researchers detected lung cancer in 14 of the participants. Of those 14 cases, 13 were diagnosed as non-small cell lung cancers and one small cell lung cancer. Eleven of the 13 non-small cell lung cancers and the one case of small cell lung cancer were detected on the initial CT screening, they noted.
The findings are published in the June issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
----
More information: The American Cancer Society has more about early detection of lung cancer.
----
For the latest health news & Health-Life Services like tools, calculators, & a physician locator, go to www.healthday.com.
Copyright © 2005 ScoutNews LLC. All rights reserved.
posted by Mrs.Cranky Yankee @ 12:35 PM
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