Smoking Cessation after Diagnosis of Earlystage Lung Cancer Improves Outcomes

Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP

Abstract

It's never too late to stop smoking.

Introduction

About 90% of lung cancers are attributable to smoking, and smokers have a 20-fold higher lifetime risk for developing lung cancer than do nonsmokers. Smoking cessation lowers risk for developing lung cancer, but whether smoking cessation after lung cancer diagnosis improves outcomes is unclear. In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 observational studies, investigators assessed the effects of smoking cessation after diagnosis of lung cancer. Most study patients had early-stage (IIIIa) lung cancer and were followed for 4 to 12 years after diagnosis. In those with nonsmall cell lung cancer, continued smoking was associated with significantly higher risks for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 2.9) and cancer recurrence (HR, 1.9), compared with risks among patients who quit smoking, after adjustment for other prognostic variables (e.g., age, sex, histology). In patients with small cell lung cancer, continued smoking was associated with significantly higher risks for all-cause mortality (HR, 1.9), cancer recurrence (HR, 1.3), and developing a second primary cancer (HR, 4.3).

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/719742