Cost-Effectiveness of CT Screening in the National Lung Screening Trial

The screening of persons at risk for lung cancer may reduce lung-cancer mortality by 20%. Although cost-effectiveness estimates vary widely depending on assumptions, a careful analysis indicates that the cost is $81,000 per quality-adjusted life-year. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States 1 ; however, until recently, no method of screening had been shown to reduce mortality from lung cancer. The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) showed that screening with low-dose helical computed tomography (CT) of the chest in patients at high risk for lung cancer was associated with a 20% reduction in lung-cancer mortality. 2 Several major medical societies have since recommended screening with low-dose CT for patients with a similarly high risk of lung cancer. 3 The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has released a grade B recommendation for low-dose . . .