Systematic Postoperative Radiologic Follow-up in Patients With Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer for Detecting Second Primary Lung Cancer in Stage IA—Invited Critique

Lamont and coauthors say that annual computed tomography (CT) scans will detect SPLCs, contending that early recognition will be beneficial. In 1980, the American Cancer Society ceased to recommend plain chest radiographs for early lung cancer detection,¹ and therefore, one would need compelling evidence now to justify annual postoperative CT scans. The inherent biologic traits of cancer and its stage are the important determinants of outcome. How beneficial is early diagnosis during postoperative surveillance?