The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 26, 406-412, Copyright © 1978 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Roentogenographic chest screening in the detection and survival of patients with lung cancer. Cooperative Study Group for Early Detection of Lung Cancer in the German Democratic Republic
In the German Democratic Republic (GDR), annual mass roentgenographic
screening of the chest was introduced twenty years ago. To ascertain its
value in the detection of lung cancer, data were collected about treatment
results at the country's main chest clinics. The study cover 13,283
operations and 10,838 resections, accounting for nearly 90% of all patients
with lung cancer treated surgically in the GDR from 1949- 1974. From 1965
to 1968, the five-year survival was more favorable in patients who were
screened than in those who were diagnosed after clinical symptoms had
appeared (36% for the former, 29% for the latter). For improvement of
overall results, we recommend differentiated regular chest roentgenographic
screening of men 40 to 70 years of age, individualized on the basis of
tobacco usage, and full exploitation of all diagnostic and surgical tools
now available.
