Lung
Cancer & Computed Tomography Scans - Youtube Video from OPN
Broadcasting
(November 24th, 2008)
This
week's news is about lung cancer & Computerized Tomography,
simply called CT scans. Lung cancer has the highest death rate amongst
those with Cancer; more than 164,000 individuals die each year off
lung cancer. Even among early Stage 1 lung cancer, the # of patients
surviving at 5 years is only 70%. When it reaches Stage 4 lung cancer,
the 5 year survival rate drops dramatically to only 5%!
It is unfortunate that we diagnose these early stage patients mostly
by accident; often while performing a workup for another reason.
Because screening methods of detecting cancers of the Breast, Colon,
Prostrate and Cervix have resulted in better survival rates, additional
screening studies have been conducted using Chest x-rays. And to
try and detect lung cancer at early stages with the hope of achieving
similar outcomes. Unfortunately, previous studies have not shown
any benefits for screening for lung cancer. However recently, a
group of investigators have reported that an annual screening with
low dose CT scans may be able to detect early stage lung cancer
that could be potentially curable.
A CT imaging system is a form of x-rays that produce cross sectional
images of slices of body anatomy like the slices in a loaf of bread.
The study conducted internationally with participating institutions
from the United States, Europe & Asia generated interesting
results. Between 1993 and 2005, investigators screened 31,567 individuals
who had a high risk for lung cancer. High risk individuals were
defined as those who have a history of cigarette smoking, occupational
exposure to Asbestos, Uranium, Brillium or Radon, and those who
did not smoke but had significant exposure to 2nd hand smoke. CT
screening was then repeated 17 to 18 months after the initial screening
for 27,456 of the individuals. Of the initial 31,567 participants
who had an intial CT screening, 4146 individuals were found to have
at least 1 nodule in the lung, and 405 were found to have lung cancer
after a biopsy. For those individuals who had annual CT screening,
the lung nodules were found in 1460 individuals with 74 diagnosed
with lung cancer. The total # of participants who were diagnosed
with lung cancer was 484.
Of those 484 participants who developed cancer, 85% had Stage I
lung cancer and their estimated survival rate at 10 years was 88%,
significantly better than the current 5 year survival rate of 70%
for clinical Stage I lung cancer. While there is talk about the
benefit of CT screening of lung cancer, a recent article in the
Wall Street Journal raises concern over excessive radiation exposure
associated with too many CT scans. The advancement in CT technology
has led to improved efficiency and increased indications for its
use. As a result, there has been explosive growth in the use of
CT scans in recent years. In 2003, there were 57 million CT scans
performed with some individuals receiving multiple CT scans exposing
them to total radiation doses at levels near those of some survivors
of nuclear attacks on Japan in World War II. Those survivors received
average doses of 20 Millisiverts, a measurement of radiation exposure.
For comparison, a single Chest CT scan has an average radiation
of 8 - 10 Millisiverts, 10 Milliesiverts is said to be associated
with increased risk of lung cancer.
According to the US Food & Drug Administration, a CT examination
with an affective dose of 10 Millisieverts may be associated with
an increase in the possibility of Cancer of approximately 1 in 2000.
The natural incidence of fatal cancer in the US population is about
1 in 5. In other words, any one person with the risk of individual
radiation exposure is much smaller than the natural risk of Cancer.
Also, there are certain differences. The bomb survivors received
that amount of radiation all at once, while patients under controlled
CT scanning are exposed to small doses of Radiation that accumulate
over time. We don't know the effects of this kind of exposure. Additionally,
the types of radiation being used are different. Currently there
are no studies that have analyzed the impact of the CT scan as a
cause for cancer. Furthermore it is believed that there is a lag
time of about 20 years between the radiation exposure and the development
of a detectable cancer.
We feel that the ability to detect early stage lung cancer outweights
the risk of radiation exposure from CT screening, in certain individuals.
CT screening is beneficial and should be considered for those individuals
who are at high risk of developing lung cancer. Invididuals who
smoke, who have a history of occupational exposure and who have
a history of 2nd hand smoke. Nevertheless, radiation is a radiation!
It is always best NOT to get exposed to radiation unless it is necessary.
Unfortunately, not all insurance companies will cover the CT screening
procedure. We recommend talking with your doctor to determine your
level of risk and the potential value of the screening.
> Beginning the late 1800s, asbestos
was mined and used in many different industries all over North America,
especially before the World War II. Examples of industry use include:
- Automotive industry uses asbestos in vehicle
brakeshoes and clutch pads.
- Building & construction industry uses asbestos for strengthening
cement as well as sound absorption, roofing, insulation and fireproofing.
- Shipbuilding industry uses asbestos to insulate hot water pipes,
boilers and steampipes... (Read
More)
> About 2000 - 4000 Americans are diagnosed with Malignant Mesothelioma
each year, and about 66% of those cases are of Pleural Mesothelioma.
Pleural Mesothelioma occurs when Cancer hits the lining of the lungs,
also known as the 'Pleura.' The Pleura is a Sac which houses the
lungs, and consists of a thin membrane called the 'mesothelium.'
The mesothelium is a vital part of the lungs because it enables
them to expand and contract when breathing by secreting a fluid.
This fluid is located in the lungs and inside of the rib cage. If
the Pleura or the Pleural fluid becomes damaged with Cancer, it
makes it very hard for the patient to breathe, thus shortness of
breath is a common symptom of Pleural mesothelioma... (Read
More)
This
week's news is about lung cancer & Computerized Tomography,
simply called CT scans. Lung cancer has the highest death rate amongst
those with Cancer; more than 164,000 individuals die each year off
lung cancer. Even among early Stage 1 lung cancer, the # of patients
surviving at 5 years is only 70%. When it reaches Stage 4 lung cancer,
the 5 year survival rate drops dramatically to only 5%!