Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

TLDR

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‑related death in the United States, and non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80–85% of cases, comprising adenocarcinoma, squamous cell, and large‑cell carcinoma, with adenocarcinoma being the most common and most frequent in nonsmokers. The 2008 NSCLC guidelines were updated to include tables of drugs and dosing information for chemotherapy regimens used in adjuvant therapy. In 2007, an estimated 213,380 new lung and bronchus cancer cases (114,760 men, 98,620 women) were diagnosed, and 160,390 deaths (89,510 men, 70,880 women) were attributed to the disease. For the most recent version of the guidelines, please visit NCCN.org.

Abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women in the United States. An estimated 213,380 new cases (114,760 men and 98,620 women) of lung and bronchus cancer will be diagnosed in 2007, and 160,390 deaths (89,510 in men, 70,880 in women) are estimated to occur because of the disease. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80% to 85% of all lung cancer cases and includes 3 major types: (1) adenocarcinoma; (2) squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma; and (3) large-cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer seen in the United States and is also the most frequently occurring cell type in nonsmokers. Important updates to the 2008 guidelines on NSCLC include the addition of tables on drugs and dosing information on chemotherapy regimens for adjuvant therapy. For the most recent version of the guidelines, please visit NCCN.org