Title:Bronchial Asthma and Lung Cancer
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Author(s): Andreas Paraskevas, Elena Bellou, Elli Keramida, Ioannis Karampinis, Panagiotis Demertzis and Georgia Hardavella*
Affiliation:
- 9th Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sotiria' Athens' Chest Diseases Hospital, GR, Athens,Greece
Keywords:
Lungs, cancer, asthma, risk, survival, treatment.
Abstract:
Aim: The aim of the study was to present existing evidence regarding the association between
bronchial asthma and lung cancer risk, the impact of lung cancer treatment on asthma control
as well as the impact of pre-existing asthma on lung cancer survival.
Methods: A narrative review of all the relevant published literature has been conducted.
Results: Published evidence suggests that patients with bronchial asthma are at a higher risk of developing
lung cancer with an estimated odds ratio for squamous and small cell lung carcinoma at
1.69 and 1.71, respectively, within 2 years of asthma diagnosis. Interestingly, regular use of inhaled
corticosteroids may protect asthmatics against lung cancer. Chemotherapy may temporarily
relieve asthma symptoms. Pneumonitis is a common adverse reaction in asthmatics receiving immunotherapy
for lung cancer treatment. Lung radiotherapy in asthma patients predisposes to
eosinophilic alveolitis and pneumonia. Asthmatics are considered high-risk candidates for invasive
surgical procedures because they carry a high risk of perioperative airway hyper responsiveness.
Asthma is associated with a reduced lung cancer survival compared to other pulmonary co-morbidities.
Conclusion: Literature shows that bronchial asthma is associated with increased lung cancer risk
and worse survival rates. Chemotherapy may relieve asthma symptoms. However, asthmatics are
prone to complications related to lung cancer surgery or radiotherapy treatment. Μore randomised
controlled studies are required to strengthen the positive association between bronchial asthma and
lung cancer, taking into consideration that there may be confounders that may influence the results.
Finally, further studies must be conducted to investigate the impact of immunotherapy and specific
radiotherapy modalities on asthma control.