Lung cancer screening in patients with Libby amphibole disease: High yield despite predominantly environmental and household exposure

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) scanning (LDCT) is accepted as a screening tool, but its application to populations exposed to recognized occupational or environmental carcinogens is limited. We apply LDCT to a population with a predominantly nonoccupational exposure to a recognized human lung carcinogen, Libby amphibole asbestos (LA).

Methods: Patients in an asbestos disease clinic in Libby, Montana who were aged 50 to 84 years, greater than or equal to 20 pack-year history of tobacco use (irrespective of quit date), and asbestos-related pleuropulmonary disease on high-resolution CT scan were offered free annual lung cancer screening over a 39-month period.

Results: Of 2897 clinic patients, 1149 (39.7%) met eligibility criteria, and 567 (49%) were screened with 1014 low-dose CT scans. Most screened patients had principally environmental (333 or 59%) or household exposure (145 or 25%) to LA. Seventeen primary lung cancers were identified, mostly in early stages: 10 at stage 1, two at stage 2, three at stages 3 to 4, and two at limited small-cell cancers. The screening yield was 1.9 at baseline scan and 1.5% on the first annual scan.

Conclusions: Consistent with the guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Association of Thoracic Surgery, LDCT for early lung cancer detection should be offered to people with significant exposure to occupational or environmental human lung carcinogens.

Keywords: Libby; asbestos; low-dose CT scan; lung cancer screening.