Lung cancer epidemiology and demographics

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kim-Son H. Nguyen M.D. Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Rim Halaby, M.D. [3]; Assistant Editor(s)-In-Chief: Michael Maddaleni, B.S.

Overview

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-associated mortality and the second most common type of cancer among both genders. Individuals > 50 years of age who have a history of smoking are at increased risk. Historically, the incidence of lung cancer is significantly higher among males compared to females. This increased ratio is thought to be attributed to the increased rates of smoking among men. However, more women are being diagnosed with lung cancer due to the increased rate of smoking among women. In 2014, the incidence of lung cancer in the United States was approximately 70 cases per 100,000.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Incidence

• In 2014, the incidence of lung cancer in the US alone was approximately 70 cases per 100,000.
• Being the most common cancer diagnosed worldwide, it accounted for 2.1 million new cases in 2018.
• In 2015, the US State Kentucky recorded the highest incidence rate in both men (105.6 per 100,000) and women (77.5 per 100,000) in the country.
• In 2015, the US State Utah recorded the lowest incidence rate in both men (29.6 per 100,000) and women (22.1 per 100,000) in the country.

Prevalence

• In the United States, the age-adjusted prevalence of cancer of the lungs and bronchus is estimated to be 100 per 100,000.
• The prevalence of lung cancer significantly increases among smokers and individuals with chronic exposure to risk factors for lung cancer.

Mortality rate

• Being the most common cancer diagnosed worldwide, lung cancer is responsible for 1.8 million deaths in 2018.

• The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 142,670 individuals will die of lung cancer in the US in the year 2019.
• The mortality rate for men is 46.7 per 100,000 individuals.
• The mortality rate for women is 31.9 per 100,000 individuals.

Age

• Lung cancer is more common in older adults. It is rare in people under age of 45 years.
• While the overall age adjusted incidence of cancer of the lungs and bronchus in the United States between 2007 and 2011 is 60 per 100,000, the age-adjusted incidence of lung cancer by age category is:
  • Under 65 years: 18.1 per 100,000
  • 65 and over: 349.9 per 100,000

Race

• In the United States, the age-adjusted prevalence of cancer of the lungs and bronchus by race in 2011 was:
  • Black: 70 - 95 per 100,000
  • White: 50 - 70 per 100,000
  • Asian/Pacific islander: 40 - 50 per 100,000
  • Hispanic: 30 - 40 per 100,000

Gender

• Males are thought to be more predisposed to the development of lung cancer. This gender discrepancy is often attributed to the historically increased rate of smoking among males compared to females.
• The male to female ratio for the incidence of lung cancer is approximately 1.4 to 1.

Developing Countries

• The incidence of lung cancer is lower in the developing countries. It is unknown whether this decreased incidence is due to decreased cancer rates or decreased detection rates.
• Eastern Europe has the highest lung cancer mortality among men.

Developed Countries

• Western Europe and the U.S. have the highest incidence of lung cancer and the highest mortality among women.