"As TB can mimic lung cancer, we are confronted with challenges in management of lung cancer in TB endemic areas in terms of screening, diagnosis, staging, treatment monitoring and surveillance. A study (done by Engels et al) reported that lung cancer mortality was substantially higher in lung cancer patients with TB than among those without TB" added Dr Natthaya.
Targeted TB testing and treatment of latent TB infection can make a big difference in not only early and accurate diagnosis of TB but also preventing latent TB infection from progressing to active TB disease. Screening for latent TB and active TB disease among lung cancer patients will also be useful, advises Dr Natthaya.
Dr Natthaya Triphuridet had received the prestigious International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) Global Mentorship Award 2013 for "Screening of Lung Cancer by Low-Dose CT (LDCT), Digital Tomosynthesis (DT) and Chest Radiography (CR) in a High Risk Population" in Australia. She sheds more light on how to accurately diagnose lung cancer.
Low-dose CT for lung cancer screening
"Now low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) is the current standard technique for lung cancer screening. Based on a study, screening with LDCT resulted in a 20% lower lung cancer-specific mortality and 6.7% lower all-cause mortality than chest radiographs in the high risk group. In 2013, United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has also recommended "annual screening for lung cancer with LDCT in adults aged 55-80 years who have a 30 pack-year tobacco smoking history and currently smoke or have quitted within the past 15 years" said Dr Natthaya, who is also the Principal Investigator of Integrative Lung Cancer Screening Project in Thailand. Despite evident public health advantages of using LDCT for lung cancer screening some challenges remain.
Tobacco smoking fuels both: TB and lung cancer
TB and lung cancer have another common risk factor: tobacco smoking. Almost all countries in Asia Pacific region have ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Effective implementation of tobacco control in the region will have multiple public health benefits.
At IASLC Asia Pacific Lung Cancer Conference (APLCC 2016: www.aplcc2016.com) there will be focused sessions on lung cancer and tobacco control as well. APLCC 2016 will be a great opportunity for scientific updates on lung cancer related issues as well as academic discourses on how to effectively save lives from lung cancer in the region.
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