The American Association for Thoracic Surgery guidelines for lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography scans for lung cancer survivors and other high-risk groups.
OBJECTIVE
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in North America. Low-dose computed tomography screening can reduce lung cancer-specific mortality by 20%.


METHODS
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery created a multispecialty task force to create screening guidelines for groups at high risk of developing lung cancer and survivors of previous lung cancer.


RESULTS
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery guidelines call for annual lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography screening for North Americans from age 55 to 79 years with a 30 pack-year history of smoking. Long-term lung cancer survivors should have annual low-dose computed tomography to detect second primary lung cancer until the age of 79 years. Annual low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening should be offered starting at age 50 years with a 20 pack-year history if there is an additional cumulative risk of developing lung cancer of 5% or greater over the following 5 years. Lung cancer screening requires participation by a subspecialty-qualified team. The American Association for Thoracic Surgery will continue engagement with other specialty societies to refine future screening guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery provides specific guidelines for lung cancer screening in North America.
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. mjaklitsch@partners.org
Michael T
MT
Jaklitsch
Francine L
FL
Jacobson
John H M
JH
Austin
John K
JK
Field
James R
JR
Jett
Shaf
S
Keshavjee
Heber
H
MacMahon
James L
JL
Mulshine
Reginald F
RF
Munden
Ravi
R
Salgia
Gary M
GM
Strauss
Scott J
SJ
Swanson
William D
WD
Travis
David J
DJ
Sugarbaker
D026683:Advisory Committees; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000592:standards*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology