Dtsch Arztebl Int
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Review Meta Analysis
Lung Cancer Screening With Low-Dose Computed Tomography: Current Status in Germany.
Approximately 21 900 women and 35 300 men developed lung cancer in Germany in 2018, and 16 514 women and 28 365 men died of it. The outcome mainly depends on the tumor stage. In early stages (stage I or II), treatment can be curative; unfortunately, because early-stage lung cancers are generally asymptomatic, 74% of women and 77% of men already have advanced-stage disease (stage III or IV) at the time of diagnosis. Screening with low-dose computed tomography is an option enabling early diagnosis and curative treatment. ⋯ Systematic lung cancer screening with low-dose CT lowers mortality from lung cancer in (current or former) heavy smokers. This benefit must be weighed against the high rate of false-positive findings and overdiagnoses.