Understanding the Links Between Lung Cancer, COPD, and Emphysema: A Key to More Effective Treatment and Screening

Lung cancer has been linked to the changes in lung function characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to the changes in lung morphology seen in emphysema. It seems that a common thread of smoking-induced lung injury can be traced to all three diseases. However, the association is not as straightforward as it may seem; for example, even never-smokers with emphysema have an increased risk of lung cancer. Whether lung cancer, COPD, and emphysema are linked by common genes, mechanisms, causes, or a combination thereof, understanding the associations between them has become a priority for research regarding tobacco-related illnesses. A better delineation of the relationships between these three entities may lead to significant improvements in the effectiveness of lung cancer screening programs, and to reductions in the morbidity and mortality associated with these deadly diseases.