Early detection of lung cancer in Czech high-risk asymptomatic individuals (ELEGANCE): A study protocol.

Background Lung cancer screening in high-risk population increases the proportion of patients diagnosed at a resectable stage. Aims To optimize the selection criteria and quality indicators for lung cancer screening by low-dose CT (LDCT) in the Czech population of high-risk individuals. To compare the influence of screening on the stage of lung cancer at the time of the diagnosis with the stage distribution in an unscreened population. To estimate the impact on life-years lost according to the stage-specific cancer survival and stage distribution in the screened population. To calculate the cost-effectiveness of the screening program. Methods Based on the evidence from large national trials - the National Lung Screening Trial in the USA (NLST), the NELSON study, the recent recommendations of the Fleischner society, the American College of Radiology, and I-ELCAP action group, we developed a protocol for a single-arm prospective study in the Czech Republic for the screening of high-risk asymptomatic individuals. The study commenced in August 2020. Results The inclusion criteria are: age 55 to 74 years; smoking: ≥30 pack-years; smoker or ex-smoker Conclusions A study protocol for early detection of lung cancer in Czech high-risk asymptomatic individuals (ELEGANCE) study using LDCT has been described.