Lung Cancer: The Most Common and Deadly Cancer Worldwide
Lung cancer, the world’s most common and deadly cancer, is primarily caused by smoking. New advancements in personalized therapies, including genomic mapping and immunotherapy, have revolutionized treatment, boosting survival and quality of life. Lung cancer accounts for millions of deaths annually, with smoking being the leading cause. Early diagnosis and personalized treatments like immunotherapy and targeted therapies have become game-changers, reducing side effects and improving survival rates.
Editors 
Lung Cancer: The Most Common and Deadly Cancer Worldwide
Smoking Accounts for 90% of Lung Cancer Cases
New Era in Treatment: Personalized Therapies Boost Survival and Quality of Life
The Global Burden of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer remains the most prevalent cancer type globally and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. According to Prof. Dr. Aziz Yazar, Medical Oncology Specialist at Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital, smoking alone is responsible for 90% of lung cancer cases. Prof. Dr. Yazar emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, which can be life-saving, but notes that public awareness remains insufficient.
Globally, approximately 2.2 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year, with 41,000 cases reported in Turkey. Tragically, the disease claims the lives of about 1.8 million people worldwide and more than 30,000 in Turkey annually.
Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored
Lung cancer often progresses silently, delaying its diagnosis until advanced stages. Prof. Dr. Yazar stresses that symptoms such as:
- Persistent cough lasting more than three weeks
- Blood-tinged sputum
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
…must prompt immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, 70% of cases are diagnosed at stage 3 or 4. However, early detection using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans can identify lung cancer in its early stages, allowing for effective treatment options.
Major Risk Factors for Lung Cancer
Smoking is the single most significant risk factor for lung cancer. Daily smoking habits and the duration of smoking increase the risk by at least 20-fold compared to non-smokers. Even passive smoking significantly elevates risk levels. Other preventable risk factors include:
- Exposure to pollutants such as exhaust gases, coal smoke, asbestos, arsenic, and nickel.
- Radiation exposure to the lungs, which increases the risk up to 13-fold.
- Family history, which doubles the likelihood of developing lung cancer for first-degree relatives.
The Transformative Impact of Personalized Treatment
Over the past 15 years, lung cancer treatment has progressed from conventional methods—surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy—to innovative personalized therapies. Prof. Dr. Yazar explains:
- Genomic Mapping: Tissue or blood samples are analyzed to create a genetic map of the cancer.
- Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapy: These treatments are tailored to exploit the specific weaknesses of the cancer, with fewer side effects and higher success rates compared to chemotherapy.
This approach significantly improves both survival rates and quality of life for lung cancer patients, offering new hope for effective management.
