Lung Cancer
Disease Information
Genentech BioOncology is dedicated to advancing the science of lung cancer therapy through comprehensive research and education. Lung cancers typically arise from epithelial linings of air passages.1 The presence of lung tumors may be confirmed from a variety of sources, including the sputum, pleural fluid, or other lung samples.2 Depending upon the cellular morphology under a microscope, lung cancer is broadly divided into 2 main types: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).2
Types of Lung Cancer
- SCLC: Approximately 13% of lung cancers belong to the SCLC category. This type of lung cancer is a more aggressive form of the disease and tends to spread quickly2
- NSCLC: A vast majority of lung cancers (≈87%) belong to the NSCLC category.2 Based on histologic features, NSCLC is further divided into 3 main subtypes, namely adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma2
- Squamous cell carcinomas typically arise from thin, flat squamous cells; in contrast, adenocarcinomas arise from mucus-secreting cells that line the alveoli1
Lung Cancer Demographic Statistics
- Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men (second only to prostate cancer) and women (second only to breast cancer), accounting for ≈15% of all new cancers diagnosed1
- Lung cancer mainly afflicts older people, with a reported average age of 71 years at the time of diagnosis; fewer than 3% of lung cancers are detected in people younger than 45 years1
- The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2010, 222,520 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in the United States (116,750 men and 105,770 women).1 Studies indicate that African American men are ≈40% more likely to develop lung cancer than Caucasian men1
- More people succumb to lung cancer than to colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.1 Current estimates indicate that more than 400,000 lung cancer survivors live in the United States today1
- The American Cancer Society estimates 157,300 lung cancer deaths to occur annually (86,220 men and 71,080 women), accounting for ≈28% of all cancer deaths1,3
Lung Cancer Epidemiology
Several risk factors have been identified that make people more susceptible to lung cancer1:
- Smoking is a leading risk factor for lung cancer, accounting for ≈87% of lung cancer deaths1
- Second-hand smoke also remains a major cause for concern, accounting for ≈3,000 lung cancer deaths each year1
- People who quit smoking before they reach age 50 reduce their risk of dying from lung cancer by half in the next 15 years, compared with those who continue to smoke1
- Additional risk factors for lung cancer include exposure to asbestos fibers, diesel exhaust, radiation, and high levels of arsenic in the drinking water1
Other links to lung cancer disease information
These links give a sampling of other sites offering information on lung cancer, which you may find useful in your practice.
- National Cancer Institute at National Institutes of Health, Lung Cancer
- ASCO Cancer Portals - Lung Cancer
- Cancer Facts & Figures
Unless otherwise indicated, Genentech, Inc. is neither affiliated with nor endorses any of the organizations listed.
References:
- 1.
- American Cancer Society. Lung cancer. www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/
documents/webcontent/003115-pdf.pdf. Accessed April 14, 2011. - 2.
- US Department of Health and Human Services. National Cancer Institute. What you need to know about™ lung cancer. www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/lung/wyntk_lung.pdf. Accessed April 14, 2011.
- 3.
- American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2010. www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-026238.pdf. Accessed April 14, 2011.