Lung Cancer Additional Measures

Hospitalizations

• In 2017, the rate of hospitalizations for lung cancer was 37.2 per 100,000.
• Due to a change in diagnosis codes, rates from 2015 and before are not comparable to those from 2016 and later.
• From 1993 to 2015, the lung cancer hospitalization rate decreased by 0.8 points per year.

Histology

• In 2013-2017, most (87%) lung cancer cases were non-small cell.
• Of these non-small cell cases, over half (52%) were adenocarcinoma.

Biomarkers

• Non-small cell adenocarcinomas can be further broken down by the presence of biomarkers in the tumor, which can be identified by testing and potentially targeted with treatment.
• KRAS was the most commonly identified biomarker (25%), followed by EGFR (17%) and ALK (7%).

Staging

• In 2010-2016, most (57%) lung cancer cases were not diagnosed until the tumor had already spread to other parts of the body (distant stage).
• Only 17% of cases were diagnosed at an early stage when the tumor was still limited to the lungs (localized stage).
• The percent of people still alive 5 years after diagnoses, or the 5-year survival rate, was only 6% for those diagnosed at the distant stage, compared to 59% for those diagnosed at the localized stage.
• Survival is higher for cases diagnosed early because treatment is more likely to be curative.

Survival

• The percent of people still alive 5 years after being diagnosed with lung cancer, or the 5-year survival rate, was 21.8% in 2010-2016.
• The lung cancer 5-year survival rate increased steadily from 1984-1986 to 2002-2004, and since then has increased at a faster rate.

Learn more about the lung cancer survival rate in your state in our State of Lung Cancer report.

Screening

• In 2019, 5.7% of those at high risk were screened for lung cancer using a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan. High risk is defined as:
  • 55-80 years of age;
  • Have a 30 pack-year history of smoking (this means 1 pack a day for 30 years, 2 packs a day for 15 years, etc.);
  • AND, are a current smoker, or have quit within the last 15 years.
• Screening those at high risk for lung cancer with low-dose CT scans can reduce the lung cancer mortality rate by around 20% and was recommended by the United States Preventative Services Task Force in 2014.
• Screening has increased steadily every year since 2015.

Learn more about the lung cancer screening rate in your state in our State of Lung Cancer report.

Causes

• The majority of lung cancer cases are caused by cigarette smoking.
• Other causes include exposure to radon, occupational carcinogens, and outdoor air pollution.

Cost

• In 2018, lung cancer medical care accounted for $14.2 billion in expenditures.
• In 2005, lung cancer accounted for an additional $36.1 billion in lost productivity due to death.