Le dépistage radiologique du cancer broncho-pulmonaire

Lung cancer is a valid candidate for screening. It is the leading cause of cancer related death and is related to tobacco exposure. Diagnosis at an early stage is associated to better prognosis. Routine screening using chest x-ray in a high risk population did not improve survival. Recently, low dose chest computed tomography, a more sensitive tool has modified the screening possibilities. However the detection of small pulmonary nodules is common and characterisation of these lesions needs further unnecessary diagnostic procedures. Although a high risk target population for screening can be defined, there is still no clear evidence that lung cancer screening decreases mortality. Randomized controlled trials of computed tomography in lung cancer screening with impact on mortality are needed.