2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - Posters-P1.01B.04 A Highly Unmet Need: Patterns of Lung Cancer Screening in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors Preceding a Lung Cancer Diagnosis

P1.01B.04 A Highly Unmet Need: Patterns of Lung Cancer Screening in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors Preceding a Lung Cancer Diagnosis

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The study, conducted by Coral Olazagasti MD and others, examines lung cancer screening (LCS) patterns among head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors at the University of Miami. HNC survivors have a higher risk of developing lung cancer (LC), particularly those with a significant smoking history, yet there is no standard for long-term imaging surveillance for these survivors. Although the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends annual low-dose CT (LDCT) scans for lung cancer screening in HNC survivors with a 20-pack-year smoking history, implementation rates remain unknown.<br /><br />By reviewing records of 51 HNC survivors diagnosed with lung cancer between 2018 and 2022, this study aims to clarify eligibility and implementation patterns of LCS. The cohort consisted of 35 males and 16 females, with 49 identifying as White and 2 as Black. Out of the 51 patients, 43% identified as Hispanic. Most had a history of smoking more than 30 pack-years, meeting LCS eligibility, yet only 3.9% underwent screening.<br /><br />The analysis revealed that in these patients, lung cancer was diagnosed on average 4.04 years after their HNC diagnosis. A significant 29% were diagnosed at stage IV. This late-stage diagnosis highlights the critical underutilization of LCS in eligible HNC survivors. The authors recommend enforcing LCS to potentially improve mortality rates and call for further prospective studies to identify and overcome barriers to LCS in this high-risk group.<br /><br />The study underscores the urgency of addressing a major gap in medical care, as the adoption of recommended LCS protocols could significantly benefit this vulnerable population.

Asset Subtitle

Coral Olazagasti

Meta Tag

Speaker Coral Olazagasti

Topic Risk Factors, Risk Reduction & Tobacco Control

Keywords

lung cancer screening

head and neck cancer survivors

University of Miami

smoking history

National Comprehensive Cancer Network

low-dose CT scans

eligibility patterns

late-stage diagnosis

mortality rates

medical care gap