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Lung Cancer

• Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs.
• These abnormal cells do not perform the functions of healthy lung cells and do not develop into healthy lung tissue.
• The growth can spread beyond the lung by metastasis to nearby tissues or other parts of the body.
• Smoking is linked to 80-90% of lung cancer deaths in the U.S.
• Secondhand smoke is also a risk factor.
• Exposure to substances such as asbestos is a risk factor.
• A personal or family history of lung cancer is a risk factor.
• Radon exposure is a risk factor.

Smoking and Lung Cancer

• Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, causing about 90% of cases.
• Approximately 80% of lung cancers are caused by tobacco use.
• Pipe and cigar smoking can also cause lung cancer, but the risk is lower than with cigarettes.
• Tobacco smoke contains about 4000 chemical compounds that cause lung cancer.

Survival Rate for Lung Cancer

• The overall 5-year survival rate for all types of lung cancer is 21%.
• The 5-year survival rate for men is 17%, while the rate for women is 24%.
• The 5-year survival rate for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is 25%, compared to 7% for small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
• Lung cancer is often fatal due to rapid spread to other body parts before diagnosis.

Lung Cancer Pathogenesis

• Inhalation of carcinogens interacts with the upper and lower airway epithelium, forming DNA adducts.
• If these adducts aren't removed or undergo apoptosis, mutations and genomic alterations occur.
• Genetic susceptibility (family history) plays a role in lung cancer development.

Types of Lung Cancer

• Two main types:
  • Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) - about 15%
  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) - about 85%
    • Squamous cell carcinoma - 25-30%
    • Adenocarcinoma - 40%
    • Large cell carcinoma - 10-15%

Lung Cancer Staging

• Staging determines the extent of cancer spread to other parts of the body to guide treatment plans.
• Common sites of spread include the liver, brain, and bones.
• Non-small cell and small cell lung cancers are staged differently. (Detailed staging information available in the text sections on lung cancer staging)

Lung Cancer Diagnosis

• X-rays can show abnormal lung nodules.
• CT scans can detect smaller lung lesions not visible on X-rays.
• PET scans are used for further investigation.

Lung Cancer Metastasis

• Cancer spreads from the primary site to secondary sites (metastasis).
• Common sites include the brain, liver, lymph nodes, and bones.

Lung Cancer Treatment

• Treatment depends on the type, size, and stage of the cancer.
• Types of treatment:
  • Surgery (effective for localized cancers)
  • Chemotherapy (used for widespread cancer).
  • Radiotherapy (used to destroy cancer cells).
  • Immunotherapy (targets the body's immune response against cancer).
  • Targeted therapy (blocks specific molecules involved in cancer growth and spread, often used in combination with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy when cancer has spread to other areas of the body.)

Newest Lung Cancer Treatment

• Tabrecta (capmatinib) is a recently approved treatment for adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Lung Cancer Prevention

• The most effective prevention is avoiding smoking and quitting if you smoke.
• Limiting exposure to secondhand smoke is also important.
• Taking workplace precautions against exposure to toxic chemicals also reduces risk.