Cáncer de pulmón en no fumadores: de la epidemiología a los biomarcadores

Introduction: Around 10-25% of all lung cancer cases take place in never smokers. Its incidence is higher in women, and adenocarcinoma is most frequent histologic subtype. Some genetic abnormalities have been found to be more fre- quent in never smokers. Objective: To conduct a bibliographic search about lung cancer in never smokers. Results: Second hand smoking and radon are two of the major risk factors for lung cancer in never smokers. EFGR mutations and ALK rearrangement are the most frequent genetic alterations in never smokers, and they have specific treatment with gefitinib and crizotinib respectively. Conclusions: Lung cancer in never smokers is more frequent among women and adenocarcinoma is the more common histological subtype. Over half of never smokers have genetic abnormalities. Inhalation of carcinogens and history of some lung diseases are risk factors for lung cancer.