CAD gets role in new ELCAP lung study

Apr 28, 2004

Computer-aided detection will play a major role in a new study on using CT for lung cancer screening starting in June.

The study is part of the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program (I-ELCAP), which aims to prove that CT scanning is an effective tool for early diagnosis of lung cancer. The research will be conducted at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City. The study's lead author will be Dr. Claudia Henschke, who directs the Lung Cancer Screening Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and is professor of radiology and division chief of chest imaging at Weill.

Some 4,000 patients will be included in the study. Medicsight's MedicLung I software will be used -- the software provides early-stage nodule characteristics and information on tumor size, according to the company. Tracking tumor size can help physicians determine if a tumor is growing.

The U.K.-based Medicsight Foundation, which is affiliated with Medicsight, is supporting the project through a grant of $1.8 million. Another $1.8 million grant towards the project has been given by American Legacy Foundation, a smoking cessation group, taking the total to $3.6 million.

"This newly funded study represents a unique opportunity to understand how to best increase smoking cessation in the context of CT screening," Henschke said in a statement about the study.

By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
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