Chest X-ray in Suspected Lung Cancer is Harmful.

OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to analyse the use of the chest radiograph (CXR) as the first-line investigation in primary care patients with suspected lung cancer.METHODS:Of 16,945 primary care referral CXRs (June 2018 to May 2019), 1,488 were referred for suspected lung cancer. CXRs were coded as follows: CX1, normal but a CT scan is recommended to exclude malignancy; CX2, alternative diagnosis; or CX3, suspicious for cancer. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was undertaken by stratifying patients according to their CX code.RESULTS:In the study period, there were 101 lung cancer diagnoses via a primary care CXR pathway. Only 10% of patients with a normal CXR (CX1) underwent subsequent CT and there was a significant delay in lung cancer diagnosis in these patients (p < 0.001). Lung cancer was diagnosed at an advanced stage in 50% of CX1 patients, 38% of CX2 patients and 57% of CX3 patients (p = 0.26). There was no survival difference between CX codes (p = 0.42).CONCLUSION:Chest radiography in the investigation of patients with suspected lung cancer may be harmful. This strategy may falsely reassure in the case of a normal CXR and prioritises resources to advanced disease.KEY POINTS:• Half of all lung cancer diagnoses in a 1-year period are first investigated with a chest X-ray. • A normal chest X-ray report leads to a significant delay in the diagnosis of lung cancer. • The majority of patients with a normal or abnormal chest X-ray have advanced disease at diagnosis and there is no difference in survival outcomes based on the chest X-ray findings.