JAMA Oncology Patient Page
Understanding Lung Cancer in Younger People
Mara B. Antonoff, MD 1; Leah Phillips, MAT 2; Eric K. Singhi, MD 3 Source: https:// jamanetwork. com / journals / jamaoncology / fullarticle / 2839157
What Is Young-Onset Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is usually diagnosed in people around 71 years old in the US. When lung cancer is diagnosed before the age of 50 years, it is called young-onset lung cancer. More young people are now being diagnosed with lung cancer than in the past.
What Makes Young-Onset Lung Cancer Different?
The causes of lung cancer in young people can be different from those in older adults. Many young people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked, which may seem surprising. Instead, their cancer may be caused by genetic changes in the cancer cells that make the cancer grow and spread. These variations come with very specific names, such as EGFR, ALK, KRAS, RET, and several others. Other causes include environmental factors such as secondhand smoke, radon gas exposure, or chemicals at work; air pollution; and other lifestyle factors. Understanding why young people get lung cancer is something that doctors and researchers are currently studying.
Types of Lung Cancer
The most common lung cancer in younger people is adenocarcinoma, a type of non – small cell lung cancer. Although this is the most common, other types of lung cancer are possible. Since each type of lung cancer has different treatments and outcomes, it is important for doctors to know the exact type for each patient to plan the best treatment.
Challenges in Diagnosis
Lung cancer in younger people is often not found until later stages. This may be because doctors do not usually screen younger people for lung cancer, as they do not meet current screening guidelines. Doctors and other medical professionals might not immediately consider lung