The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (2025) Expert Consensus Document on Interventions for Screen-Detected Lung Nodules

Computed tomographic (CT) lung cancer screening (LCS) reduces lung cancer-specific mortality and improves survival. We reviewed contemporary literature to develop consensus recommendations on perioperative quality standards for LCS programs to optimize outcomes.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Task Force on Lung Cancer Screening and STS Workforce on Evidence Based Surgery convened a multidisciplinary panel of thoracic surgeons, radiation oncologists, and interventional pulmonologists. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparisons, Outcome) framework. Consensus statements were developed through a modified Delphi process addressing: (1) preoperative biopsy and diagnostic surgical procedures, (2) acceptable rates of complications from diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and (3) timing of intervention after a suspicious LCS finding, and the role of the multidisciplinary team in patient management. Consensus required ≥75% agreement.