Lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Lung cancer is the most common fatal malignancy in both men and women. Lung cancer is found in all stages df chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including mild to moderate degrees of airflow obstruction. Thus, simple spirometric measurements of airflow, that is, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)), and the ratio of the FEV(1) to the forced vital capacity will identify patients at highest risk of lung cancer, particularly if they are smokers. Lung cancer is seven times more common when airflow obstruction is present than when airflow is normal. The spirometer not only identifies the fact of airflow obstruction but serves as a surrogate marker for deaths from all causes, including lung cancer, heart attack, and stroke. Early identification and intervention are the keys to altering the courses of both lung cancer and COPD and reducing the risk of associated disease states.