Low-dose spiral CT is an effective diagnostic tool for lung cancer.

Low-dose spiral CT is an effective diagnostic tool for lung cancer

In China, lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor, with both incidence and mortality rates ranking first among all cancers. Early diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer are crucial measures to improve survival rates and reduce mortality.

Symptoms that require prompt medical examination include persistent cough (dry, severe, or metallic-sounding), hemoptysis (coughing up blood, blood-streaked sputum, or blood clots), shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness, unexplained weight loss, bone pain, and headache. Note that bone pain and headache may indicate advanced metastasis.）

The Chinese Guidelines for Low-Dose Spiral CT Lung Cancer Screening(published in February 2018) indicate that low-dose spiral CT is the gold standard for lung cancer screening, a consensus supported by clinical experts.

What is Low-dose spiral CT？

Low-dose spiral CT uses a smaller scan range, lower radiation dose, and reduced X-ray exposure to diagnose lesions. Compared to traditional conventional CT, it has lower radiation exposure and can display tiny nodules more clearly.

What are the advantages of low-dose spiral CT for the lungs?

1.It provides clearer visualization of thoracic structures, higher sensitivity in detecting chest lesions, and greater diagnostic accuracy compared to conventional chest X-rays.

2.The radiation dose is significantly reduced compared to standard chest CT, equivalent to the effective radiation of a chest X-ray

3.It improves detection of subtle and occult lesions, reveals pathological features, and ensures high-quality early lung cancer diagnosis

4.The scan is exceptionally fast, completing a full thoracic low-dose spiral CT in under 10 seconds

5.The radiation dose is less than 1 millisievert (mSv), approximately half of the natural annual environmental radiation exposure. With advancing technology, CT radiation doses continue to decrease. Additionally, low-dose spiral CT demonstrates significantly higher sensitivity than conventional CT (P<0.05), while specificity shows no notable difference (P>0.05). In conclusion, low-dose spiral CT holds high clinical value for diagnosing early-stage lung cancer

Comparison between Chest DR and Low-Dose Spiral CT

Both DR and CT utilize differential X-ray absorption in the human body to generate images. DR produces two-dimensional planar projection images with anterior-posterior or lateral overlap. Due to its imaging principles involving X-ray fluorescence or chemical effects, overlapping lesions often experience diffusion or scattering, leading to distortion of X-ray information. Combined with the small size, uneven density, and blurred boundaries of early-stage lung nodules, this significantly complicates differentiation from surrounding tissues, increasing the difficulty of lung cancer identification.

CT captures localized (with certain thickness) cross-sectional images without anterior-posterior or lateral overlap. It effectively displays tissues with minimal density differences.

​​Department Introduction​​

The Imaging Department of Gansu Wuwei Medical Science Academy is one of the most advanced comprehensive imaging diagnosis centers in Gansu and western China. With a strong team, rational talent structure, robust technical capabilities, and rich clinical experience, the department focuses on clear development directions and unique specialties. It conducts remote imaging consultations and collaborations with top domestic and international hospitals including Beijing 301 Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, and Peking University Hospital, earning consistent praise from experts.

The department is equipped with advanced medical devices such as GE third-generation Gemstone Spectral CT, Siemens 3.0T MRI, GE PET/CT, GE BrightSpeed 16 CT, GE Optima 64 CT, Siemens LUMINOS DRF digital gastrointestinal system, Siemens MAMMOMAT Inspiration full-field digital mammography system, and GE Optima vascular angiography system. Offering accurate, reliable, convenient, fast, efficient, and cost-effective examinations, it serves as an optimal choice for health screenings.

Consultation Hotline: +86 935-6968579 (Gansu Wuwei/Jinchang)

Medical Address: Imaging Department, Negative First Floor, Outpatient Building, Gansu Wuwei Academy of Medical and Science, No. 31, Huiyang Lane, Haiyang Road, Liangzhou District, Wuwei City, Gansu Province