Background/Objectives:In 2024, Lithuania developed a national lung cancer screening program (the Program), targeting individuals aged 50 to 70 years, regardless of their smoking history, with screenings conducted once every three years. The Program aims not only to actively detect lung nodules (lung cancer) but also to identify clinically significant concomitant findings. The pilot study aimed to evaluate the screening process’s feasibility and organizational efficiency of the screening process, as well as its potential clinical effectiveness.Methods:Three family medicine centers were selected for participation. The Coordinating Center contacted individuals aged 50 to 70 sequentially and invited them to participate, regardless of smoking status. In total, 1014 individuals were prospectively enrolled and underwent low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) screening between 26 September 2024 and 14 February 2025.Results:Of the individuals invited, 76.1% agreed to participate. Lung-RADS v2022 category 4 nodules were identified in 1.4% of participants (n= 14), including six smokers and eight non-smokers. Additionally, one participant with a Lung-RADS category 2 nodule was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma originating from peripheral lung changes. Newly identified significant incidental findings were detected in 25.9% of participants: 5.1% had pulmonary or mediastinal findings (most commonly emphysema, interstitial lung changes, and bronchiectasis), 18.7% had cardiovascular findings (usually coronary artery calcification, aortic valve calcification, and aorta dilation), and 2.1% had other clinically relevant conditions (e.g., thyroid nodules, diaphragmatic changes). Following assessment by family physicians, 17.6% of all participants were referred to medical specialists, including pulmonologists, cardiologists, and others.Conclusions:This pilot study demonstrated that the Lithuanian lung cancer screening model is feasible, well-organized, and clinically valuable. The findings support the Program’s readiness for broader implementation at the national level.
背景/目的：2024年，立陶宛启动了一项全国性肺癌筛查项目（简称“项目”），针对50至70岁人群，无论吸烟史如何，每三年进行一次筛查。该项目不仅旨在主动检测肺结节（肺癌），还致力于识别具有临床意义的伴随性发现。本试点研究旨在评估筛查流程的可行性、组织效率及其潜在的临床效果。 方法：研究选取了三家家庭医学中心参与。协调中心按顺序联系50至70岁的个体，无论其吸烟状况如何，邀请他们参与。2024年9月26日至2025年2月14日期间，共有1014名个体前瞻性入组并接受了低剂量胸部计算机断层扫描（LDCT）筛查。 结果：在受邀个体中，76.1%同意参与。1.4%的参与者（n=14）被检出Lung-RADS v2022 4类结节，其中包括6名吸烟者和8名非吸烟者。此外，一名Lung-RADS 2类结节参与者被诊断为源于周围肺改变的鳞状细胞癌。25.9%的参与者发现了新出现的重要偶发性发现：5.1%存在肺部或纵隔发现（最常见为肺气肿、间质性肺改变和支气管扩张），18.7%存在心血管发现（通常为冠状动脉钙化、主动脉瓣钙化和主动脉扩张），2.1%存在其他临床相关病症（如甲状腺结节、膈肌改变）。经家庭医生评估后，17.6%的参与者被转诊至专科医生，包括肺科医生、心脏科医生等。 结论：本试点研究表明，立陶宛的肺癌筛查模式具有可行性、组织良好且具有临床价值。研究结果支持该项目已具备在全国范围内更广泛推广的条件。
The Lithuanian Lung Cancer Screening Model: Results of a Pilot Study
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家