DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

Back to Globe
Cancer

Lung Cancer

HIGH SEVERITY

Malignant tumor arising from lung tissue. Leading cause of cancer death worldwide (1.8 million deaths/year). Two main types: non-small cell (NSCLC, 85%) and small cell (SCLC, 15%). Strongly associated with smoking but affects non-smokers too.

Global Affected

2.2M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Chronic cough
Hemoptysis
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Hoarseness
Weight loss
Fatigue
Recurring infections (bronchitis, pneumonia)
Swelling of face/neck (SVC syndrome)
Bone pain (metastases)

Treatment Options

Surgery (lobectomy, pneumonectomy)
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors)
Targeted therapy
Stereotactic body radiation (SBRT)
Proton therapy
Palliative care

Risk Factors

1Smoking (85% of cases)
2Secondhand smoke
3Radon exposure
4Asbestos exposure
5Air pollution
6Family history
7Prior radiation therapy
8Chronic lung disease (COPD, pulmonary fibrosis)
9Arsenic exposure
10Diesel exhaust

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Low-dose CT screening
  • 2Chest X-ray
  • 3CT chest/abdomen/pelvis
  • 4PET-CT
  • 5Bronchoscopy
  • 6EBUS
  • 7CT-guided biopsy
  • 8Liquid biopsy (ctDNA)
  • 9Molecular profiling

Prognosis

Poor overall: 5-year survival 18-25%. Early stage (I): 60-90%. Advanced (IV): <5%. Immunotherapy improving outcomes in advanced disease. Screening reduces mortality.

Prevention

  • Smoking cessation (most important)
  • Avoiding secondhand smoke
  • Radon testing/mitigation
  • Occupational safety (asbestos)
  • Air pollution reduction
  • Lung cancer screening (annual LDCT for high-risk)
  • Healthy diet
  • Exercise

Research Status

Immunotherapy revolutionized treatment (pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab). Targeted therapies for EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, MET, RET, KRAS G12C mutations. Liquid biopsy for monitoring. Lung cancer screening with LDCT reduces mortality 20%. CAR-T cell therapy trials.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.cancer.gov/
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.