Lung cancer in never smokers--a different disease

Nat Rev Cancer. 2007 Oct;7(10):778-90. doi: 10.1038/nrc2190.

Abstract

Although most lung cancers are a result of smoking, approximately 25% of lung cancer cases worldwide are not attributable to tobacco use, accounting for over 300,000 deaths each year. Striking differences in the epidemiological, clinical and molecular characteristics of lung cancers arising in never smokers versus smokers have been identified, suggesting that they are separate entities. This Review summarizes our current knowledge of this unique and poorly understood disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / epidemiology
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Causality
  • Comorbidity
  • Cooking
  • Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data
  • Estrogens / metabolism
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / epidemiology
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Papillomavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Pulmonary Adenomatosis, Ovine / epidemiology
  • Radon
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • Sheep
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Smoking / pathology
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Estrogens
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution
  • Radon