Multiple Lung Bullae (Cysts)

Small Lung Tumor

Did you Know that.....

• Kentuckians have the highest rate of death from lung cancer in the US?
   
• Most Lung Cancers cause no symptoms until they are too large to be successfully treated?
   
• Tobacco smokers have a much larger incidence of Lung Cancer than nonsmokers?
   
• Lung Cancer can be successfully treated if it is detected early enough?

This painless, safe, and accurate one minute test can tell you whether or not you  have lung cancer and other serious conditions of the lung and chest.  You are a candidate for Lung Cancer Screening CT if you meet of the following criteria:

• You are 50 years or older or
• You have a 10 pack year history of smoking (1 pack a day for 10 years or 2 packs a day for 5 years, etc.)

Computed tomography (CT) is a computerized x-ray procedure designed to visualize  structures inside the body. It is a common diagnostic tool used by physicians to look inside the chest in patients with signs of symptoms of lung disease. Lung CT is one of the best tests available for finding lung cancer.

Lung Cancer CT is called screening when it is performed on patients who are at risk for lung cancer, but do not have signs or symptoms of lung disease. Lung Cancer Screening CT is an excellent test for finding lung cancer and can detect tumors missed by chest x-ray.  This test is currently being studied in a national trial called the Early Lung Cancer Action Project (ELCAP), and is being offered to patients with a 10 pack-year smoking history in otherwise good health, with no prior cancer. Suspicious tissue or small nodules must be evaluated further with follow up scans in 3 to 6 months or possibly be biopsied  (sampled). Many of these small nodules turn out to be benign. For these reasons, this screening test is not routinely covered by medical insurance.

Lung Cancer Screening CT also visualizes the other structures of the chest, and can diagnose cysts, calcification, enlarged lymph nodes, emphysema, scarring, hiatus hernia  and aortic aneurysms, among other things. As with any diagnostic or screening test, it is not perfect and cannot find all cancers. It does not provide a complete medical diagnosis, nor should it replace other medical tests or physician visits.   For those at risk for lung cancer, the test should be repeated no more than once every year.

PLEASE NOTE THAT Lung Cancer Screening CT examinations of the Heart, Lungs, and are not intended to take the place of your usual routine doctor's evaluation, but rather to give you and your doctor additional information on which to base  lifestyle change and treatment  decisions.

How is Lung Cancer Screening CT performed?

You will be asked to lie down on your back and will be scanned in our  high-speed CAT Scanner. A scan is taken of your lungs during one breath hold, lasting about 15 seconds.  This procedure requires no injections or any other preparation such as fasting.

The information obtained will then be read by our Board Certified Radiologist and the information will be sent to you and your doctor for further consultation.

© Neurodiagnostics P.S.C., 2001-08
1725 Harrodsburg Road, Suite 100
Lexington, KY 40504
Phone 859-278-7226 or Toll Free 800-755-7441