title: [Lung cancer screening with thoracic X‑ray and CT : Current situation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Attempts at the early detection of lung cancer using imaging methods began as far back as the 1950s.
  
  
  METHODS
  Several studies attempted to demonstrate a reduction of lung cancer mortality by chest radiography screening but all were unsuccessful.
  
  
  METHODS
  Even the first small screening studies using computed tomography (CT) could not demonstrate a reduction in lung cancer-specific mortality until in 2011 the results of the largest randomized controlled low-dose CT screening study in the USA (NLST) were published. The NLST results could show a significant 20 % reduction of lung cancer mortality in elderly and heavy smokers using CT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Confirmation of the NLST results are urgently needed so that the data of the largest European study (NELSON) are eagerly awaited.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pooled with the data from several smaller European studies these results will provide important information and evidence for the establishment of future CT screening programs in Europe.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Randomized controlled trials are the basis of evidence-based medicine; therefore, the positive results of the methodologically very good NLST study cannot be ignored, even if it is the only such study completed so far with highly convincing conclusions. The NLST results clearly demonstrate that positive effects for the health of the population can only be expected if the processes are clearly defined and the quality is assured.
authors.affiliation: Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologe, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland.|Translationales Lungen Forschungszentrum Heidelberg (TLRC), Mitglied des Deutschen Zentrums für Lungenforschung (DZL), Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: von Stackelberg
authors.affiliation: Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologe, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland. Hans-Ulrich.Kauczor@med.uni-heidelberg.de.|Translationales Lungen Forschungszentrum Heidelberg (TLRC), Mitglied des Deutschen Zentrums für Lungenforschung (DZL), Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland. Hans-Ulrich.Kauczor@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: H-U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Kauczor
mesh_terms: D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D038622:Internationality; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Early detection; Evidence-based medicine; Low-dose computed tomography; Lung cancer mortality; Quality assurance