Evaluation of imaging techniques for early detection of intrathoracic cancers in symptomatic patients in primary care: a systematic review

We found a limited number of studies reporting on the diagnostic performance of usual imaging techniques when used in unselected primary care settings for the diagnosis of intrathoracic cancer in symptomatic patients. There is a need for more studies evaluating such techniques in the general population presenting in primary care, where the prevalence is relatively low. A better understanding of the performance could lead to better detection strategies for intrathoracic cancers in primary care. Intrathoracic cancers, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and thymoma, represent diagnostic challenges in primary care. We aimed to summarise evidence on the performance of imaging techniques that could aid the detection of intrathoracic cancers in low prevalence settings.