Lung cancer

Lung Cancers:
Non-Small Cell Lung
Cancer

Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is classified by histology into small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).1 NSCLC accounts for 80% of all lung cancer cases. Subtypes of NSCLC are characterized by progenitor cell and include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, and large cell carcinomas.1 Common genetic alterations in NSCLC include EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, ALK, and ROS1.1

Incidence in the United States

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with 127,070 deaths estimated in 2023.2 During the period of 2015-2019, incidence was 27% higher among men than women.2 It was projected that in 2023, an estimated 238,340 new cases of lung cancer would be diagnosed in the United States.2

Epidemiology in the United States

Although mortality trends among those with lung cancer have improved in the past 20 to 30 years, most patients (55%) present at an advanced stage with distant metastases.3 Rates of 5-year survival decrease dramatically by stage: localized (61%), regional (34%), distant (7%).3

Risk Factors
 

Risk factors associated with lung cancer are largely exposure- based.2 Most lung cancer cases (~80%) are known to be caused by cigarette smoking.2 Additional risk factors include exposure to radon gas, secondhand smoke, asbestos, and occupational chemicals.2

Unmet Need
 

Across presentation stage, 5-year survival rates among those with lung cancer remain low (22.9%; data from 2012-2018), highlighting a need to expand and improve therapeutic options.3 Moreover, because most patients (55%) present with metastatic disease at diagnosis, an unmet need remains for a greater number of safe and effective systemic therapies.3

References: 1. Zito Marino et al. Int J Med Sci. 2019;16:981-989. 2. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2023. 3. National Cancer Institute. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cancer Stat Facts: Lung and Bronchus Cancer. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/lungb.html. Accessed September 1, 2022.

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