Adenocarcinoma of the lung risk factors

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Shanshan Cen, M.D. [2]

Overview

Common risk factors in the development of adenocarcinoma of the lung are smoking, family history of lung cancer, high levels of air pollution, radiation therapy to the chest, radon gas, asbestos, occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens, and previous lung disease.

Risk Factors

• Common risk factors in the development of adenocarcinoma of the lung include smoking, family history of lung cancer, radiation therapy to the chest and asbestos exposure.

Common Risk Factors

• Common risk factors in the development of adenocarcinoma of the lung may be occupational, environmental, or constitutional.
• Common risk factors in the development of adenocarcinoma of the lung include:
  • Smoking
  • Second-hand smoke
  • Family history of lung cancer
  • High levels of air pollution
  • Radiation therapy to the chest
  • Radon gas
  • Asbestos
  • High levels of arsenic in drinking water
  • Occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens
  • Previous lung disease
  • Indoor burning of coal
  • Weakened immune system
  • Lupus
  • Pre-existing scars
  • Pre-existing wounds
  • Inflammation 

Smoking

• Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer.
• Both active and passive smoking are associated with increased risk of lung cancer.
• The risk of lung cancer is associated with increased quantity as well as increased duration of smoking.
• There is no evidence to suggest that smoking low-tar cigarettes lowers the risk.
• Recently introduced e-cigarrettes, which were thought to be risk-free were recently demonstrated to be also associated with a significantly increased risk of lung cancer due to the presence of formaldehyde.
• Smoking accounts for 87% of lung cancer cases in the US. The lag period between smoking and death due to lung cancer is 20 years.

Second-hand smoke

• Second-hand smoke is exhaled by smokers. It is also known as involuntary, passive smoking or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS).

• Acitvely inhaled smoke and second-hand smoke contain the same chemicals.
• Exposure to second-hand smoke increases risk of developing lung cancer.
• Second-hand smoke is a major risk factor for lung cancer among non-smokers.
• Even small amounts of exposure to second hand smoke is considered unsafe.

Air Pollution

• Emissions from automobiles, factories and power plants may increase predisposition of individuals to lung cancer.

• Individual components of air pollution which include diesel engine exhaust, particulate matter, benzene, and some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered particularly harmful in individuals.

Family History of Lung Cancer

• Family history of lung cancer may increase the risk of developing lung cancer in individuals.
• First-degree relatives of lung cancer patients are always considered high-risk.

Radiation Therapy to the Chest

• DNA mutations and cellular damage due to radiation therapy may increase individual predisposition to lung cancer.
• Previous exposure to ionizing radiation may increase individual risk of developing lung cancer.
• Radiation therapy for Hodgkin lymphoma or breast cancer is associated with development of lung cancer.

Radon Exposure

• Radon exposure increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers.
• Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil and may reach unsafe levels in enclosed, poorly ventilated homes or buildings due to seepage into the basement.

• The risk of developing lung cancer depends on degree of exposure, duration of exposure and smoking history. The risk is much higher in smokers.

Asbestos Exposure

• The risk of asbestos exposure is highest for miners or those involved in manufacturing.
• Studies have shown that the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure is extremely hazardous.

Exposure to Other Chemical Carcinogens

Exposure to chemical carcinogens may be particularly harmful and predispose to the development of lung adenocarcinoma.

• Arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds
• Beryllium and beryllium compounds
• Cadmium and cadmium compounds
• Chemicals used in rubber manufacturing, iron and steel founding and painting
• Chloromethyl ethers and bischloromethylether
• Chromium (VI) compounds
• Cobalt-tungsten carbide
• Diesel engine exhaust
• Mustard gas
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Radioactive ores such as uranium and plutonium
• Silica dust and crystalline silica
• Some nickel compounds

Less Common Risk Factors

• Less common risk factors in the development of adenocarcinoma of the lung include:
  • Marijuana use
  • Indoor burning of wood
  • High-temperature frying
  • Meat diet
  • Physical inactivity
  • Occupational exposure to certain chemicals
  • Occupational exposure to vinyl chloride, dioxin, cobalt-tungsten carbide, or strong inorganic acid mists
  • Removal of both ovaries

References

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