When your healthcare provider recommends a low-dose lung CT screening, it means that they want to take a closer look at the condition of your lungs, so they can detect any potential signs of cancer.
The results from your low-dose lung CT screening give your provider highly detailed images of your lungs, which they’ll use to better understand your condition, and to create a treatment plan that will best support your care.
In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about getting a low-dose lung CT screening, including how early detection works, how a CT detects abnormalities, and how to understand your CT results.
How does a low-dose lung CT help identify potential signs of lung cancer?
A low-dose lung CT screening’s detailed images can show the size, shape, and position of any lung tumors, and can help find enlarged lymph nodes that might contain cancer that has spread. In general, CT scans are also used to look for masses in other parts of the body that could be due to the spread of lung cancer.
What should I expect during my lung CT screening?
Your CT technologist will ask you to lay on a table that will move slowly inside the doughnut-shaped CT machine. During your scan, your technologist will ask you to hold completely still. You may also be asked to hold your breath for short periods. If you need to speak with your technologist, you can use the intercom available in the CT machine, and your technologist will be able to see you and speak with you the whole time.
Low-dose lung CT screenings and the early detection of lung cancer
It is very important to detect lung cancer as soon as possible, since early detection can lead to better treatment options and outcomes, especially if the cancer can be treated before it spreads to other parts of your body. Let’s see how a low-dose lung CT screening helps with early detection of lung cancer.
Why is early detection so important?
If lung cancer is found at an early stage, when it is small and before it has spread to other areas of your body, it is more likely to be treated successfully. Patients diagnosed with lung cancer at the earliest stage of the disease have a 20-year survival rate of 80%.
How does a lung CT screening detect lung cancer at an early stage?
A low-dose lung CT screening can help detect lung cancer at an early stage by taking pictures of the inside of your chest, and looking for abnormal areas in the lungs. These areas, called lung nodules, appear as white spots on the lungs. Lung CT screenings can also show the size, shape, and position of lung tumors, and can help find enlarged lymph nodes that might contain cancer.
What are the advantages of using a low-dose lung CT for screening high-risk individuals?
Research has shown that yearly, low-dose CT screening can save the lives of people at a higher risk for lung cancer. For these people, getting yearly low-dose lung CT screenings before symptoms start helps lower the risk of dying from lung cancer.
View our low-dose CT lung screening appointments at a location near you today
How a low-dose lung CT screening detects abnormal growths in the lungs
A low-dose lung CT screening is the preferred scan for detecting abnormal growths in the lungs. Let’s see what lung abnormalities a low-dose lung CT screening can show, and how a low-dose lung CT can enhance the visibility of lung nodules, or masses.
What lung abnormalities can a low-dose lung CT screening show?
A low-dose lung CT screening can reveal several types of abnormal growths in the lungs, like lung nodules which could be harmless, or could indicate something more serious. It can also detect larger growths like tumors, which might be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). In addition, a low-dose lung CT can identify infections, scarring, or inflammation in the lung tissue that may need further imaging.
How does a low-dose lung CT screening enhance the visibility of lung nodules or masses?
A low-dose lung CT enhances the visibility of lung nodules or masses by creating detailed, layered images of the lungs, allowing doctors to see inside in much more detail. This helps them identify the exact size, shape, and location of any nodules or masses, making it easier to detect even small or hidden growths.
Understanding your lung screening results
Having a low-dose lung CT screening is the first step in determining whether or not you may have lung cancer. The results from your lung screening can help your healthcare provider determine the cause of the cancer and, as a result, how to treat your specific condition.
What is my healthcare provider looking for in my low-dose lung CT results?
Your healthcare provider uses the results of your lung screening to look for any abnormalities or masses in your lungs that shouldn’t be there. They will evaluate the size, shape and density of any lung nodules or masses found on the scan. The results from a low-dose lung CT screening can also be used to see if cancer has spread into the chest from another area of the body.
How does my healthcare provider determine the likelihood of cancer from my lung screening results?
Your healthcare provider looks at specific features of any nodules or masses found on the CT scan, such as their size, shape, and growth over time, to assess the likelihood of cancer. Certain characteristics, like irregular edges or rapid growth, may raise suspicion, while smooth, stable nodules are more likely to be non-cancerous. They may also consider your medical history and risk factors, like your history of smoking, to help determine whether further imaging is needed.
What are some questions to ask my provider if my screening results indicate possible lung cancer?
Here are some important questions you can ask your healthcare provider if your CT results indicate that you have lung cancer:
- Where exactly is the cancer? Has it spread to any other parts of my body?
- What stage of cancer do I have?
- What are my chances of a full recovery?
- Do I need any further imaging before we can decide on treatment?
- What are my treatment choices?
How to schedule an appointment with us
Our goal is to offer you and your healthcare provider the most informative results possible, and we make it easy for you to get an appointment.
With numerous locations across South Jersey, you’ll find us conveniently located near major highways and key bridges in the region.
We’ll ensure the entire scheduling process is as effortless as possible for you. Above all, we are here to help you.
- Haddonfield Office – Haddonfield, NJ
- Marlton (Greentree) Office – Marlton, NJ
- Medford Office – Medford, NJ
- Moorestown Office – Moorestown, NJ
- Mount Laurel Office – Mount Laurel, NJ
- Route 73 (Voorhees) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
- Sewell (Washington Township) Office – Sewell, NJ
- Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
- Voorhees (Carnie Boulevard) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
- West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
- Willingboro Office – Willingboro, NJ
Learn more about the board-certified, subspecialized radiologists who read, analyze and interpret the findings here at South Jersey Radiology Associates.
Frequently Asked Questions
A low-dose lung CT screening uses advanced X-ray technology to capture highly detailed images of your lungs, helping your provider see even small abnormalities.
A low-dose lung CT screening can help detect suspicious lung nodules or masses that may be indicative of lung cancer.
During a low-dose lung CT screening, you will lie still on a table while a scanner rotates around your chest to take detailed images.
Early detection of lung cancer significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and better outcomes.
A low-dose lung CT screening can find small lung nodules or early-stage cancers that might not show symptoms yet, allowing for earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Low-dose lung CT screenings are especially effective in detecting early-stage lung cancer in people at high risk, potentially saving lives through early intervention.
A low-dose lung CT screening can reveal various lung abnormalities, including infections, inflammation, lung nodules, and tumors.
Your provider evaluates the size, shape, and density of any lung nodules or masses on the CT scan to determine the likelihood of cancer and plan further testing or treatment.