Smaller tumors in lung cancer are less likely to spread into cancer, according to an Archives of Internal medicine study that reported that the earlier the detection, the better chance for successfully treating lung cancer.

Early screening using a 64 slice CT scan provides early detection of lung cancer even when a person is not aware of having cancer. The CT scan finds tumors that are very small in size; tumors less than 30 millimeters in diameter are classified as stage IA, while the IB tumors measure larger than 30 millimeters in diameter.