Histology-based treatment: a new scenario in the management of advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer

Cesare Gridelli
Current Opinion in Oncology: 21(2) March 2009
ISSN: 1040-8746 • Frequency: 6/year • Impact Factor: 4.166 • Subscribe Now

Lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality due to cancer worldwide with about 1 300 000 cases diagnosed yearly. Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for more than 80% of all lung cancers. The NSCLC subgroup includes squamous carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and undifferentiated large cell carcinoma. In the past years, the most frequent histology was represented by squamous carcinoma followed by adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. In the last decades, there is an epidemiologic shift from squamous to adenocarcinoma histology, the latter now represented in more than 50% of cases. This can be explained in part by changes in smoking behavior such as the frequency of puff drawing and depth of inhalation and cigarette manufacturing such as an increase in light and filterless cigarettes.

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