New Questions Raised About Lung Cancer...(ts who died of lung cancersubsequent re...),Health

Dr. Bach also raises concerns regarding the follow-up for some of the patients, noting that it was a virtual statistical impossibility that Henschke had the findings that she published. Dr. Bach comments, "I am concerned that there may have been an error during the analysis of the trial, such that the apparent benefit of screening appeared larger than it is."

In a published reply, Dr. Henschke writes that the discrepancy occurred because some patients were originally "misclassified," and that this error was perpetuated in follow-up analyses.

Dr. Chabner has previously urged a re-evaluation of the I-ELCAP data, and reiterates his call in response to the new concerns. He writes, "The bond that clinical investigators make with cancer patients who volunteer their enrollment is sacred ... Given the confusion that reigns, only with a thorough, complete, and impartial audit can this bond, the cornerstone of clinical research, be restored and preserved."

Dr. Thomas J. Lynch, Director of the Center for Thoracic Cancers at Massachusetts General Hospital, agrees that an independent audit is needed. "Finding out if screening CT scans save lives from lung cancer is of urgent importance," he comments. "Millions of ex-smokers await guidance on the use of this technology and it is tragic that we do not have more clarity on this crucial issue."

Dr. Chabner's editorial, Dr. Bach's letter and Dr. Henschke's reply, published by "The Oncologist," are freely available:

Dr. Chabner editorial:

http://theoncologist.com/cgi/content/full/13/9/922

Dr. Bach Letter to Editor:

http://theoncologist.com/cgi/content/full/13/9/1030

Dr. Henschke Response: