Primary lung tumors in mice have morphologic, histogenic, and molecular features similar to human lung adenocarcinoma, and in particular, the bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma subtype. Because of this, and because of the genetic homology between man and mouse and the ease of genetic manipulations in mice, this model system is receiving intense research attention. This review is intended to be informative to clinical investigators, and describes features of this model, how it is being used for translational research, and points out additional avenues of study that could have practical benefits, such as application for identifying novel therapeutic strategies.