Worldwide, lung cancer is the most common cause of major cancer incidence and mortality
in men, whereas in women it is the third most common cause of cancer incidence and the
second most common cause of cancer mortality. 1 In 2010 the American Cancer Society
estimated that lung cancer would account for more than 222,520 new cases in the United
States during 2010 and 157,300 cancer deaths. 2 Although lung cancer incidence in the
United States began to decline in men in the early 1980s, 3 it seems to have plateaued in …

Lung cancer is the most common worldwide cause of major cancer incidence and mortality.
97 It is estimated that lung cancer will account for more than 169,500 new cases in the
United States during 2001 and more than 157,400 cancer deaths. 49 Although lung cancer
incidence in the United States began to decline in men in the early 1980s, 124 it continues
to increase in women. 49 The pathologic diagnosis of lung cancer can be established by a
histology or cytology. This review focuses primarily on the histology of lung cancer …