Lung cancer in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, it is not just the cigarette smoke.

Abstract

An important association has been described between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer, where different mechanisms have been proposed. There is no unique cause for this association, as COPD is by itself a heterogeneous disease, in which their classical phenotypes (i.e., emphysema and chronic bronchitis) each play an important role in lung cancer development. We will discuss recent evidence that links these two diseases and specific characteristics found in lung cancers from patients with COPD.