Lung cancer is most often caused by smoking, but in some patients it is associated with a genetic predisposition, according to a study published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
- Most lung cancers are caused by smoking or exposure to other toxic substances, doctors warn
- However, they note that there is a group of patients in whom this type of cancer may be of genetic origin
- Importantly, the genetic burden also increases the risk of prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women
- More current information can be found on the Onet homepage
American specialists have shown that the same predisposition can also cause other types of cancer in these lung cancer patients, such as ovarian cancer (in women), pancreas and prostate cancer (in men). They warn that the closest relatives of the patient may also be at greater risk of cancer.
“Most lung cancers may be associated with smoking, as well as with other environmental factors (e.g. exposure to asbestos – PAP), but in the case of thousands of patients, the development of this disease is driven by inherited genetic factors” – emphasizes in the information provided to PAP by Prof. . Jyoti D. Patel, Lung Cancer Expert of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The specialist works at Northwestern University.
Until now, it seemed that unfavorable genetic changes favoring lung cancer tumors may cause unfavorable environmental factors as well as an inappropriate lifestyle, especially smoking. However, some people have inherited genetic changes that make them more likely to develop this cancer.
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Research conducted by American specialists shows that the detection of pathogenic germline variants (PGV) is therefore of great importance in predicting the risk of lung cancer. It has been established that it occurs in a fairly large group, i.e. 15 percent. lung cancer patients. It is also important information for the closest relatives of these patients. Early detection of genetic predisposition allows to reduce the risk of this disease, and also to detect it early when it is possible to treat it even more effectively.
The research covered 7 thousand. 788 patients with lung cancer, of whom 1161 patients were diagnosed with inherited genetic changes, occurring in 81 known cancer mutations. 95,1 percent patients with these lesions could be treated with available therapies or could be included in early disease detection.
Lung cancer is currently the most common malignant tumor in the world. Annually, 1,6 million people are diagnosed with it, and 1,4 million of them die. In Europe, lung cancer accounts for 11,8%. malignant tumors and it is responsible for 21 percent. deaths.
According to the National Cancer Registry, the incidence of lung cancer in Poland reaches almost 22 a year, and in 2025 it may increase to 23,5. Five-year survival in lung cancer patients is very low and concerns only 13,4%. sick.
The increase in lung cancer incidence among women, which until recently occurred almost exclusively in men, is alarming. According to the National Cancer Registry, the incidence of lung cancer among women has quadrupled over the past 30 years. The main reason for this is smoking.
Author: Zbigniew Wojtasiński