Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

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This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)?

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is the most common lung cancer (85% of cases), including subtypes like adenocarcinoma (40%, peripheral, common in non-smokers), squamous cell carcinoma (25%, central, smoking-linked), and large cell carcinoma (10%, aggressive). Stages range from I (localized) to IV (metastatic). In 2025, ~200,000 US cases annually, with declining incidence due to smoking reduction but rising in never-smokers from pollution/genetics.

Symptoms

Symptoms include persistent cough, hemoptysis (blood in sputum), chest pain, shortness of breath, hoarseness, recurrent pneumonia, fatigue, weight loss, and bone pain/headaches (metastases). Early NSCLC is often asymptomatic, detected via screening. Paraneoplastic syndromes (e.g., hypercalcemia in squamous) occur in 10-20%.

Causes

Smoking causes 85% of cases, with secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos, air pollution, and genetics (EGFR mutations in 15%, more in Asians/non-smokers) contributing. Risk factors include age (>65), family history, COPD, and occupational exposures. In 2025, EGFR/ALK mutations drive targeted therapies.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses low-dose CT screening (for high-risk smokers), biopsy (bronchoscopy, needle), and imaging (PET-CT for staging). Molecular testing for EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF, PD-L1 guides therapy. In 2025, AI CT analysis improves detection by 25%.

Treatment

Early-stage uses surgery (lobectomy), with adjuvant chemotherapy/radiation. Advanced uses targeted therapy (osimertinib for EGFR), immunotherapy (pembrolizumab for PD-L1>50%), or chemo (platinum-based). In 2025, ADCs and bispecifics improve survival.

Future Outlook

In 2025, 5-year survival is 28% overall, 60% localized. Targeted/immuno therapies extend stage IV to 2-3 years. By 2030, AI and vaccines could achieve 40% survival.

Sources

The information for NSCLC is sourced from Cleveland Clinic’s “Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Symptoms & Treatment” for symptoms; PMC’s “Update 2025: Management of Non‑Small-Cell Lung Cancer” for 2025 management; NCI’s “Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)” for treatment; Healthline’s “Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Symptoms and Causes” for causes; MSKCC’s “New Lung Cancer Treatments Aim to Reduce Deaths in 2025 and Beyond” for outlook; Everyday Health’s “Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment” for diagnosis; OncLive’s “NSCLC Experts Highlight Clinical Trials to Watch in 2025” for trials; Translational Lung Cancer Research’s “Non-small cell lung cancer: current treatment and future advances” for advances; Medscape’s “Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)” for overview; Nature’s “Advances in Lung Cancer Basic and Translational Research in 2025” for research.