Abstract
After the results of two large, randomized trials, the global implementation of lung cancer screening is of utmost importance. However, coronavirus disease 2019 infections occurring at heightened levels during the current global pandemic and also other respiratory infections can influence scan interpretation and screening safety and uptake. Several respiratory infections can lead to lesions that mimic malignant nodules and other imaging changes suggesting malignancy, leading to an increased level of follow-up procedures or even invasive diagnostic procedures. In periods of increased rates of respiratory infections from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and others, there is also a risk of transmission of these infections to the health care providers, the screenees, and patients. This became evident with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic that led to a temporary global stoppage of lung cancer and other cancer screening programs. Data on the optimal management of these situations are not available. The pandemic is still ongoing and further periods of increased respiratory infections will come, in which practical guidance would be helpful. The aims of this report were: (1) to summarize the data available for possible false-positive results owing to respiratory infections; (2) to evaluate the safety concerns for screening during times of increased respiratory infections, especially during a regional outbreak or an epidemic or pandemic event; (3) to provide guidance on these situations; and (4) to stimulate research and discussions about these scenarios.
Keywords: Coronavirus; Epidemic; Lung cancer screening; Pandemic; Respiratory infections; Screening and early detection.
【저자키워드】 respiratory infections, coronavirus, pandemic, Epidemic, Lung cancer screening, Screening and early detection., 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, respiratory infections, Coronavirus disease 2019, coronavirus, Health care, Cancer, Infection, lung cancer, severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus, Screening, global pandemic, Cancer screening, respiratory infection, Health, outbreak, management, implementation, Early detection, Research, Interpretation, Follow-up, respiratory, change, Care, patients, Guidance, malignancy, False-positive results, lead, diagnostic procedures, lesion, randomized trials, acute respiratory syndrome, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, other respiratory infections, lesions, nodule, aims, risk of transmission, invasive, evaluate, other respiratory infection, stimulate, false-positive result, stoppage, 【제목키워드】 detection, Screening, report, Committee,