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Lung cancer screened for in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors by computed tomography

07-10-2006

Screening for lung cancer with computed tomography (CT) could increase survival among Hodgkin lymphoma survivors.

According to a study from the United States, "Hodgkin's lymphoma patients have an elevated risk of developing lung cancer and may be targeted for lung cancer screening. We used a decision-analytic model to estimate the potential clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of CT screening for lung cancer in Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors. We developed a Markov decision-analytic model to compare annual low-dose CT screening versus no screening in a hypothetical cohort of patients diagnosed with stage IA-IIB Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 25, with screening starting 5 years after initial diagnosis."

"We derived model parameters from published studies and the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program, and assumed that stage-shift produces a survival benefit. Annual CT screening increased survival by 0.64 years for smokers and 0.16 years for non-smokers. The corresponding benefits in quality-adjusted survival were 0.58 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for smokers and 0.14 QALYs for non-smokers. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for annual CT screening compared with no screening were $34 100/QALY for smokers and $125 400/QALY for non-smokers," explained P. Das and colleagues, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

The researchers concluded, "Our analysis suggests that if early promising results for lung cancer screening hold, CT screening for lung cancer may increase survival and quality-adjusted survival among Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors, with a benefit and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for smokers comparable to that of other recommended cancer screening strategies."

Das and colleagues published their study in Annals of Oncology (Computed tomography screening for lung cancer in Hodgkin's lymphoma survivors: decision analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis. Ann Oncol, 2006;17(5):785-793).

For more information, contact P. Das, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dept. Radiation Oncology, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 97, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Publisher contact information for the journal Annals of Oncology is: Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon St., Oxford OX2 6DP, England.

Keywords: Houston, Texas, United States, Cost Effectiveness, Decision Analysis, Epidemiology, Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Lung Cancer, Lung Carcinoma, Lymphoma, Oncology, Second Malignancies.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.