Genetic etiology of lung cancer

Although the clinical management of lung cancer has not changed substantially over the past decade, this same time period has witnessed exciting new developments concerning the origins of this disease. These findings support the hypothesis that lung cancer, as well as other common adult tumors, arise as a result of somatic mutations to a specific group of cellular genes referred to as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. New strategies for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer will emerge as we identify the mechanisms that control mutation rates for these target genes and gain a better understanding of the role these genes play in coordinating normal cell growth and differentiation.