Comparison of Surveillance with Low-Dose and Contrast-Enhanced Chest Computed Tomography in Patients Disease-Free for 2 Years after Curative Resection for Lung Cancer
- Author:
Bubse NA
1
;
Ji Hyeon PARK
;
Kwon Joong NA
;
Samina PARK
;
Chang Hyun KANG
;
Young Tae KIM
;
In Kyu PARK
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Cancer Research and Treatment 2026;58(2):454-464
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) is recommended for surveillance 2–3 years after curative resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, supporting clinical evidence is limited. This study compared LDCT with contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CECT) in terms of recurrence detection and overall survival (OS) in patients 2 years after curative resection of NSCLC.
Materials and Methods:Among patients who underwent curative resection for NSCLC between January 2011 and December 2017 and survived for 2 years without recurrence, 2,083 patients were included. Comparisons between the LDCT and CECT groups were performed in both the entire cohort and propensity score-matched cohort. The primary outcome was the difference in overall survival. Secondary outcomes included time-to-recurrence, recurrence-free survival, and post-recurrence survival in each group.
Results:In the propensity score-matched population, the 5-year OS (96.0% for LDCT, 98.0% for CECT, p=0.097) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (95.4% for LDCT, 96.0% for CECT, p=0.761) did not differ. The OS and RFS did not differ in subgroup analyses stratified by pathologic stage and histologic type. In the competing risk analysis, the overall 5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence did not differ between the two groups (4.56% for LDCT, 3.93% for CECT, p=0.765). When stratified by pathologic stage and histologic type, there was no significant difference in the cumulative incidence of recurrence. The distribution of recurrence sites did not differ between groups.
Conclusion:Similar OS and RFS were observed in LDCT and CECT surveillance in patients who achieved a 2-year disease-free status after curative resection for NSCLC.
