Summary

The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Lung Study (MEM) was a randomized screening trial designed to test if lung cancer mortality rates could be reduced through the addition of regular cytomorphological screening of sputum to an annual chest x-ray screening regimen. The reported lung cancer mortality rates were similar between the two arms indicating the additional cytological screening did not result in a benefit. The follow-up of participants was of limited duration.

Study Years:

• Enrollment: June 10, 1974 to January 10, 1978
• Screening was phased out, starting in January 1982 and ending October 31, 1982.
• Participants were screened for five to eight years, depending on date of enrollment.

Randomized trial with two arms:

• Arms
  • Control: Single-Screen: Annual Chest X-Ray Only
  • Intervention: Dual-Screen: Annual Chest X-Ray and four-monthly sputum cytology

• Ages Eligible for Study: 45+ Years
• Sexes Eligible for Study: Male
• Smoked at least one pack of cigarettes per day (or this much within one year of enrollment)
• No history of respiratory tract cancer

Enrollment

Enrollment: 10,040

• 5,072 in Control: Single-Screen
• 4,968 in Intervention: Dual Screen

Total Study Population Demographics (10,040 Randomized and Eligible People):

• Age (years):
  • Mean: 53.83
  • Range: 41-85
  • Median: 52

The Schema is a timeline of the study. It indicates start/end points, visits expected, major testing to be done, and any other information that is crucial to understanding how the study was completed.

Main Findings

• Screening for early lung cancer. Results of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering study in New York.
  Melamed MR, Flehinger BJ, Zaman MB, Heelan RT, Perchick WA, Martini N
  Chest. 1984 Jul; Volume 86 (Issue 1): Pages 44-53 PUBMED
• Early lung cancer detection: results of the initial (prevalence) radiologic and cytologic screening in the Memorial Sloan-Kettering study.
  Flehinger BJ, Melamed MR, Zaman MB, Heelan RT, Perchick WB, Martini N
  Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 1984 Oct; Volume 130 (Issue 4): Pages 555-60 PUBMED