Although lung cancer has a clear causative relationship with cigarette smoking, it can also occurs in individuals who never smoke or smoke very lightly. Interestingly, lung cancer among non-smokers is higher among women than men. In the US, 19 percent of lung cancer in women occurs in non-smokers, compared to 9 percent in men. In Asia, 60 to 80 percent of women with lung cancer never smoke [Nat Rev Cancer. 2007 Oct;7(10):778-90].
Adenocarcinoma, a subtype of lung cancer, is more common in non-smokers or light smokers.
The risk factors of lung cancer in non-smokers are:
- Secondhand smoke
- Radon
- Asbestos
- Burning coal smoke or indoor cooking oil vapor that is very common in Asia
Molecular biology of lung cancer in non-smokers is different from that of cancer in smokers. It has been observed that mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are more common in lung cancers in non-smokers. Therefore, current treatment of lung cancer in non-smokers is skewed toward the use of medications that inhibit EGFR tyrosine kinase.
No comments:
Post a Comment