Lung cancer statistics, 2023

Abstract

Despite decades of declining mortality rates, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. This article examines lung cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis, survival, and mortality using population‐based data from the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries. Over the past 5 years, declines in lung cancer mortality became considerably greater than declines in incidence among men (5.0% vs. 2.6% annually) and women (4.3% vs. 1.1% annually), reflecting absolute gains in 2‐year relative survival of 1.4% annually. Improved outcomes likely reflect advances in treatment, increased access to care through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and earlier stage diagnosis; for example, compared with a 4.6% annual decrease for distant‐stage disease incidence during 2013–2019, the rate for localized‐stage disease rose by 3.6% annually. Localized disease incidence increased more steeply in states with the highest lung cancer screening prevalence (by 3%–5% annually) than in those with the lowest (by 1%–2% annually). Despite progress, disparities remain. For example, Native Americans have the highest incidence and the slowest decline (less than 1% annually among men and stagnant rates among women) of any group. In addition, mortality rates in Mississippi and Kentucky are two to three times higher than in most western states, largely because of elevated historic smoking prevalence that remains. Racial and geographic inequalities highlight longstanding opportunities for more concerted tobacco‐control efforts targeted at high‐risk populations, including improved access to smoking‐cessation treatments and lung cancer screening, as well as state‐of‐the‐art treatment.

RAF and MEK Inhibitors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

“…Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, accounting for 18% of all cancer-related deaths, despite the increased survival rates over the last years [1,2]. In the United States alone, it will account for an estimated 125,070 deaths in the year 2024 [3].…”

“…All of these molecular aberrations can drive lung cancer oncogenesis. The implementation of targeted therapies in the clinical practice based on molecular profiling of NSCLC patients has led to a significant improvement in lung cancer survival rates [1,8,9]. The identification of BRAF mutations, particularly the substitution V600E in about 4% of NSCLC, and the clinical success of BRAF and MEK inhibitors in the context of metastatic BRAFV600E-mutant melanoma set the rationale for the clinical investigation of these drugs as a therapeutic strategy targeting BRAFV600E-mutant NSCLC.…”

Editorial: Real-world data and real-world evidence in lung cancer

“…Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide in both sexes ( 1 ). This editorial compels attention to the critical need for real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) to augment lung cancer research.…”

Solubility, pH-Solubility Profile, pH-Rate Profile, and Kinetic Stability of the Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Alectinib

“…Lung cancer (LC), originating from the lung parenchyma or bronchi, stands as a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, surpassing even breast cancer in terms of female mortality rates [ 1 ]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional, and financial strain on individuals, families, communities, and health systems.…”