Lung Cancer News Update

Special Report on Lung Cancer and Screening Initiatives, Part III “In this third in the three-part Special Report, the ITN editorial team offers the most current information on reported findings, updated appropriateness criteria, and national organization news and initiatives, as it continues to monitor this important issue.” Lung Cancer and Stage Migration Following LDCT Screening “Clinical trials have shown that lung cancer screening (LCS) reduces cancer-related mortality and reduces cancer’s advanced stage, but its efficacy in actual clinical practice has not been established. Our multicenter cohort study included patients diagnosed with primary lung cancer at one of four U.S. health care systems between January 1, 2014 and September 30, 2019. The age-adjusted rate of new cases of lung cancer each year and the distribution of cancer stages were the primary endpoints. Low-dose computed tomography(CT) for lung cancer screening was the key exposure variable.” Quality of treatment for lung cancer varies widely across US “Treatment for lung cancer is rapidly evolving, with new technologies and research-proven procedures. However, a study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found the quality of care for lung cancer in the U.S. varies widely, with significantly worse outcomes among patients whose surgeries fall short of established treatment guidelines.” Warning Signs of Lung Cancer “When the diagnosis came in, Jennifer Randolph was mad. The then 58-year-old self-described “Peloton junkie” was physically active and did not smoke, nor did she have a history with the habit, aside from experimenting with a cigarette or two in her teenage years. “I have done everything right,” she recalls thinking.” Osimertinib-related pneumonitis incidence higher in real-world lung cancer population “Drug-related pneumonitis occurred among 18% of patients receiving osimertinib for advanced epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer, according to study results published in CHEST.” Video: First responders at high risk for lung cancer “ILLINIOS (KHQA) — Lung cancer is the leading cause of occupational death nationally in firefighters. Cancer accounts for more than 74% of the line-of-duty deaths, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters. Dr. Elie Chbeir, a pulmonologist at Quincy Medical Group, says smoke inhalation can lead to a number of problems.”