Prevalence, risk factors and survival of lung cancer in the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors, and survival of lung cancer in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods: IPF with lung cancer from tertiary hospitals consisted of 1685 patients who had been diagnosed between 2003 and 2007. We reviewed their medical records retrospectively to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and prognosis of lung cancer in IPF patients. Results: Among all patients with IPF, 114 cases (6.8%) had lung cancer with IPF. The incidence of lung cancer in patients with IPF was 1.03 persons per 100 person-year (25 patients/2408 years). Most cases of lung cancer (73/114, 68.9%) were located in IPF-associated areas; the lung cancer typically developed in peripheral and lower lobe areas. The study revealed that forced vital capacity (% predicted) at the initial diagnosis and development of lung cancer were independent prognostic factors in patients with IPF. Conclusions: Lung cancer in patients with IPF was significantly related with the IPF prognosis. An active evaluation should be performed in patients with IPF to detect lung cancer early.