Stopping smoking after diagnosis of lung cancer

[kkmalaysia]

It is not known whether stopping smoking after diagnosis affects the course of lung cancer. Now, a systematic review and metaanalysis of published studies has shown that patients who stop smoking after a diagnosis of lung cancer may live longer.

No relevant randomized controlled trials were found, so the review was based on 10 observational studies. Continuing to smoke after the diagnosis was associated with significantly increased overall mortality in early non-small cell lung cancer, with an almost threefold increase in risk. In limitedstage small-cell lung cancer the increase in risk was almost twofold. It is estimated that among 65-year-old patients with early non-small cell lung cancer, quitting smoking would increase the rate of 5-year survival from 33% to 70%. In limited-stage small-cell lung cancer, the increase would be from 29% to 63%.

Stopping smoking may increase survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Parsons A et al. Influence of smoking cessation after diagnosis of early stage lung cancer on prognosis: systemic review of observational studies with metaanalysis. BMJ 2010;340:251 (b5569).