From the Guidelines
Lung cancer is distinct from other cancers due to its high mortality rate, largely attributed to late diagnosis, and its unique treatment approaches, which include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, as highlighted in the most recent study 1. The primary difference between lung cancer and other cancers lies in its causes, presentation, and treatment strategies. Lung cancer is predominantly caused by smoking, accounting for approximately 85% of cases, whereas other cancers have more diverse risk factors. Symptoms of lung cancer, such as persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and hemoptysis, are often absent in early stages, leading to delayed diagnosis.
- Treatment for lung cancer depends on the type (small cell or non-small cell) and stage, with common approaches including:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Common chemotherapy regimens include cisplatin or carboplatin combined with drugs like pemetrexed, gemcitabine, or paclitaxel, as noted in 1.
- Targeted therapies for specific mutations, such as osimertinib for EGFR mutations and alectinib for ALK rearrangements, have shown promise in improving outcomes, as discussed in 1.
- Immunotherapies like pembrolizumab or nivolumab have also emerged as effective treatment options for lung cancer. Lung cancer generally has a poorer prognosis than many other cancers, with a 5-year survival rate of about 21% overall, though early-stage disease has better outcomes, as reported in 1. The high mortality rate is largely due to late diagnosis, as symptoms often appear only in advanced stages when treatment options are more limited and less effective. Early detection through screening with low-dose CT has been shown to decrease the mortality rate from lung cancer, emphasizing the importance of timely diagnosis and treatment, as highlighted in 1.
From the Research
Comparison of Lung Cancer with Other Cancers
- Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with an estimated 2 million new cases and 1·76 million deaths per year 2.
- It is the second most common cancer diagnosis in men and women, after prostate and breast cancer, respectively 3.
- The average age of diagnosis is 70 years old, with men being twice as likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer due to differences in tobacco consumption 3.
Risk Factors and Prevention
- Tobacco smoking is the greatest preventable cause of death worldwide, accounting for up to 90% of lung cancer cases 3.
- Second-hand smoke, radon, asbestos, and environmental exposures such as air pollution and arsenic have also been implicated in lung carcinogenesis 3, 4.
- Family history increases the risk of lung cancer by 1.7-fold, with a greater risk among first-degree relatives 3.
Screening and Treatment
- Low-dose CT screening has been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality by increasing diagnosis and treatment at earlier disease stages 4.
- Targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors have led to remarkable progress in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer and small-cell lung cancer 2.
- Induction cisplatin and docetaxel followed by surgery and adjuvant erlotinib has been shown to be a viable treatment option for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancers 5.
Global Burden and Trends
- Lung cancer incidence and mortality rates differ substantially across the world, reflecting varying patterns of tobacco smoking, exposure to environmental risk factors, and genetics 4.
- Tobacco control campaigns are a central part of global strategies designed to reduce lung cancer mortality 4.
- The global burden of lung cancer is expected to continue to rise, particularly in developing nations such as China, Russia, and India 3, 4.