Lung cancer pathology in smokers, ex-smokers and never smokers.
The histologic distribution of lung cancer is markedly different in smokers and non-smokers. It is not known whether the histology among former smokers varies according to the number of years since quitting. Using data from a large case-control study of lung cancer, we found that for both men and women, the proportion of adenocarcinomas increased with the number of years since quitting smoking. Among long-term quitters (> 25 years), the proportion of adenocarcinomas was similar to that in never smokers. These findings have implications for studies of environmental tobacco smoke and lung cancer.
Muscat
J E
JE
Division of Epidemiology, American Health Foundation, New York, NY 10017.
Wynder
E L
EL
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors