Low-Dose CT Scan

Learn about the benefits of this advanced test for lung cancer.

If you’re at high risk for developing lung cancer, it’s important to undergo regular screening for the disease. That’s why we offer our lung cancer screening program, which is nationally accredited by the American College of Radiology. We use low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans to take images of your lungs, which can show us if you may be developing lung cancer.

We screen patients according to national guidelines set by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which recommends annual low-dose CT scans for adults at high risk for lung cancer who haven’t reported symptoms of the disease. If you meet all of the following criteria, you’re considered a good candidate for low-dose CT screening:

• Age 55 to 77 (Age range may include patients up to 80 years of age depending upon your insurance and hospital system.)
• A 30 or greater pack-year history of smoking (meaning you smoke or used to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years, two packs a day for 15 years, etc.)
• Current smoker or an ex-smoker who quit within the last 15 years

Studies have shown that patients who meet these criteria and receive regular low-dose CT scans have a lower risk of dying from lung cancer compared to patients who just receive X-ray screening, as well as higher rates of lung cancer diagnosis in the early stages of the disease.

Mass General Cancer Center at Newton-Wellesley
2014 Washington Street
Newton, MA 02462
Phone: 617-219-1230

What to Expect from Your Low-Dose CT Scan

Let your doctor know ahead of time if you currently have a respiratory tract infection, such as a cold, a sinus infection, or bronchitis, as well as if you’ve recently recovered from one. These infections can cause abnormal readings on your CT scan that might require additional scans. Your doctor might ask you to wait a few weeks to a month to make sure the infection has completely left your system.

Metal objects can interfere with the CT scan, so make sure you remove any metal objects you might be wearing or carrying before your scan, such as:

• Dentures
• Glasses
• Hearing aids
• Jewelry

Also, be sure to choose clothing that doesn’t include metal buttons or snaps. Women should avoid wearing a bra with an underwire on the day of their scan. If your clothing has too much metal, our technician might ask you to change into a hospital gown for your scan.

When the test begins, you’ll lie on a table on your back, and the table will slide through a CT machine. The table will slide through the machine, which may be loud or make knocking sounds. The CT scanner will create images of your lungs. The technician may ask you to hold your breath briefly to help the machine create a clearer image.

Your entire appointment will take about a half-hour, and the actual scan takes about a minute or two. Afterward, you can return to work or your normal activities with no restrictions. A radiologist will review your results and send a report to your referring doctor, who will go over the results with you.

It’s important to note that most patients won’t receive a lung cancer diagnosis following a low-dose CT scan. Less than 7 percent of study participants who had a suspicious result from their scan ended up being diagnosed with lung cancer.

If you’re a good candidate for low-dose CT scanning, it’s important for you to get tested every year. Regular testing can let you and your doctor lower your risk for lung cancer or detect it early for the best chances of successful treatment.