Low-Dose CT Lung Screening

Low-dose multi-slice chest CT for early lung cancer detection and pulmonary screening. 39,000 HUF (≈€98) native. The same flat-rate as other single-region chest CT.

Buda Health Center's low-dose CT lung screening uses MSCT (multi-slice computed tomography) to produce thin-slice axial images of the chest at a radiation dose substantially lower than a standard diagnostic CT. The technology identifies pulmonary nodules as small as a few millimetres — far below the threshold of conventional chest X-ray. Early detection of nodules before they grow, spread, or cause symptoms is the central rationale for lung cancer screening. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death globally in both men and women. At 39,000 HUF (approximately €98), Buda Health Center's lung screening CT is one of the most cost-accessible preventive interventions available in Budapest for high-risk individuals. The BHC's own published clinical information notes that 85–87% of lung cancers are attributable to active smoking and 3–5% to passive smoking, and that the MSCT examination allows identification of abnormalities invisible on chest X-ray — including nodules hidden behind the heart, near the diaphragm, or in challenging anatomical positions along the lung periphery. The state-of-the-art multi-slice scanner at the Királyhágó utca site acquires sequences of the lungs, heart, ribs, and bony thorax simultaneously, with 3D reconstruction capabilities. Digital images are stored on the hospital's picture archiving system for future comparison — a critical feature for nodule surveillance protocols, where stability of nodule size at 12-month follow-up is a key reassurance criterion. Changes in size, density, or morphology over serial scans trigger further evaluation. Reports are prepared by specialist radiologists with experience in chest imaging. Buda Health Center recommends annual screening for smokers and high-risk individuals. No physician referral is required for self-pay patients. Online appointment booking is available via the BHC website and telephone administration at +36 1 489-52-00. The service is accessible to international patients, with English-speaking staff on hand. CD copies of imaging data can be purchased for 1,500 HUF. Contrast-enhanced chest CT for diagnostic purposes (such as suspected infection, mediastinal mass, or lung metastases) is available at 69,000 HUF through the standard CT service.