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Lung CT Scans Reveal Clues to Non-Lung Cancers
Study finds certain abnormalities spotted on lung cancer screenings may indicate other types of cancer
Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:06am
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Researchers at the Brown University School of Public Health analyzed data from the National Lung Screening Trial and found that certain abnormalities detected on CT scans during lung cancer screenings could be signs of other undiagnosed cancers, particularly in the urinary system, lymphoma, and leukemia. The study aims to provide guidance to clinicians on which abnormalities warrant further follow-up and which can likely be safely ignored.
Why it matters
As more people undergo routine lung cancer screening, doctors are seeing an increasing number of incidental findings unrelated to the lungs. This study helps establish an evidence-based approach for evaluating these unexpected abnormalities and determining which ones may indicate the presence of other cancers that could benefit from early detection and treatment.
The details
The researchers analyzed data from over 26,000 participants in the National Lung Screening Trial and found that about 3% of screening rounds and 6.8% of participants had abnormalities that were identified as potentially indicative of cancer outside the lungs. Participants with these findings had a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with cancers of the urinary system, lymphoma, and leukemia within a year of the screening.
- The study was published in JAMA Network Open in 2026.
The players
Brown University School of Public Health
The institution where the lead researcher, Ilana F. Gareen, is a professor of epidemiology and where the study was conducted.
National Lung Screening Trial
A landmark federal study that helped establish CT scans as a standard way to screen people at high risk for lung cancer.
Ilana F. Gareen
A professor of epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health and the lead author of the study.
What they’re saying
“In this paper, we provide an evidence base for making decisions on abnormalities outside of the lungs that might be seen at lung screening. The goal is to give physicians and patients better data so that they can make more informed choices about those abnormalities that should be considered for follow-up and those that most likely can be ignored.”
— Ilana F. Gareen, Professor of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health
What’s next
Gareen said she wants to look next at whether the findings are consistent with the experience of patients currently being screened in community settings to determine if the rates of abnormalities and associated cancers seen in the National Lung Screening Trial are replicated outside of a clinical trial.
The takeaway
This study provides important guidance to clinicians on how to approach incidental findings during lung cancer screenings, helping them determine which abnormalities warrant further investigation and which can likely be safely monitored. Early detection of other cancers through these screenings could lead to improved outcomes for patients.
