THE ROLE OF LOW-DOSE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF LUNG CANCER

Lung cancer remains among the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide, frequently associated with late diagnosis due to the absence of symptoms in early stages. In this context, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) stands out as an effective method for screening and early detection of the disease, contributing to a reduction in mortality. This study aimed to discuss, through a literature review, the role of LDCT in the early diagnosis of lung cancer, addressing epidemiological aspects, risk factors, technical parameters of the examination, main tomographic findings, limitations, and future perspectives. The use of low-dose protocols allows the identification of pulmonary nodules in early stages, increasing the chances of patient survival. However, there are challenges related to false-positive and false-negative results, overdiagnosis, cumulative radiation exposure, psychological impacts, and financial costs. Future perspectives point to the integration of artificial intelligence, liquid biopsies, and molecular biomarkers as promising strategies to improve diagnostic accuracy and enable personalized approaches. It is concluded that LDCT represents a fundamental tool in lung cancer screening, although its application must consider its benefits, limitations, and possible future technological advancements.