Impact of pulmonary tuberculosis on lung cancer screening: a narrative review

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening has demonstrated efficacy in reducing lung cancer mortality by enabling early detection. In several countries, including Korea, LDCT-based screening for high-risk populations has...

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Main Author: Jeong Uk Lim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ewha Womans University College of Medicine 2025-04-01
Series:The Ewha Medical Journal
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Online Access:http://www.e-emj.org/upload/pdf/emj-2025-00052.pdf
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author Jeong Uk Lim
author_facet Jeong Uk Lim
author_sort Jeong Uk Lim
collection DOAJ
description Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening has demonstrated efficacy in reducing lung cancer mortality by enabling early detection. In several countries, including Korea, LDCT-based screening for high-risk populations has been incorporated into national healthcare policies. However, in regions with a high tuberculosis (TB) burden, the effectiveness of LDCT screening for lung cancer may be influenced by TB-related pulmonary changes. Studies indicate that the screen-positive rate in TB-endemic areas differs from that in low-TB prevalence regions. A critical challenge is the differentiation between lung cancer lesions and TB-related abnormalities, which can contribute to false-positive findings and increase the likelihood of unnecessary invasive procedures. Additionally, structural lung damage from prior TB infections can alter LDCT interpretation, potentially reducing diagnostic accuracy. Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections further complicate this issue, as their radiologic features frequently overlap with those of TB and lung cancer, necessitating additional microbiologic confirmation. Future research incorporating artificial intelligence and biomarkers may enhance diagnostic precision and facilitate a more personalized approach to lung cancer screening in TB-endemic settings.
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spelling doaj-art-a06db1d626d748179f06f734d9c82ec02025-08-26T00:04:46ZengEwha Womans University College of MedicineThe Ewha Medical Journal2234-31802234-25912025-04-0148210.12771/emj.2025.000521607Impact of pulmonary tuberculosis on lung cancer screening: a narrative reviewJeong Uk Lim0Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, KoreaLung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening has demonstrated efficacy in reducing lung cancer mortality by enabling early detection. In several countries, including Korea, LDCT-based screening for high-risk populations has been incorporated into national healthcare policies. However, in regions with a high tuberculosis (TB) burden, the effectiveness of LDCT screening for lung cancer may be influenced by TB-related pulmonary changes. Studies indicate that the screen-positive rate in TB-endemic areas differs from that in low-TB prevalence regions. A critical challenge is the differentiation between lung cancer lesions and TB-related abnormalities, which can contribute to false-positive findings and increase the likelihood of unnecessary invasive procedures. Additionally, structural lung damage from prior TB infections can alter LDCT interpretation, potentially reducing diagnostic accuracy. Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections further complicate this issue, as their radiologic features frequently overlap with those of TB and lung cancer, necessitating additional microbiologic confirmation. Future research incorporating artificial intelligence and biomarkers may enhance diagnostic precision and facilitate a more personalized approach to lung cancer screening in TB-endemic settings.http://www.e-emj.org/upload/pdf/emj-2025-00052.pdfartificial intelligencebiomarkersearly detection of cancerlung neoplasmspulmonary tuberculosis
spellingShingle Jeong Uk Lim
Impact of pulmonary tuberculosis on lung cancer screening: a narrative review
The Ewha Medical Journal
artificial intelligence
biomarkers
early detection of cancer
lung neoplasms
pulmonary tuberculosis
title Impact of pulmonary tuberculosis on lung cancer screening: a narrative review
title_full Impact of pulmonary tuberculosis on lung cancer screening: a narrative review
title_fullStr Impact of pulmonary tuberculosis on lung cancer screening: a narrative review
title_full_unstemmed Impact of pulmonary tuberculosis on lung cancer screening: a narrative review
title_short Impact of pulmonary tuberculosis on lung cancer screening: a narrative review
title_sort impact of pulmonary tuberculosis on lung cancer screening a narrative review
topic artificial intelligence
biomarkers
early detection of cancer
lung neoplasms
pulmonary tuberculosis
url http://www.e-emj.org/upload/pdf/emj-2025-00052.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT jeonguklim impactofpulmonarytuberculosisonlungcancerscreeninganarrativereview