Lung Carcinoma

Cancer MONDO:0005138 Thoracic Cancer

Lung carcinoma is a major cause of cancer mortality and is strongly linked to tobacco smoking, with multiple histologic subtypes requiring distinct treatments.

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Subtypes

Small Cell Lung Cancer

High-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma accounting for a minority of lung cancers, often treated with systemic chemotherapy.

Show evidence (1 reference)

PMID:19445746 SUPPORT

"Small cell lung cancer accounts for 20% of all cases, and is usually treated with chemotherapy."

The abstract identifies small cell lung cancer as a major subtype and notes chemotherapy treatment.

Lung Adenocarcinoma (NSCLC)

The most common non-small cell lung carcinoma histology, often treated initially with surgery when resectable.

Show evidence (1 reference)

PMID:19445746 SUPPORT

"Adenocarcinoma is the main non-small cell pathology, and is treated initially with surgery."

The abstract notes adenocarcinoma as the main NSCLC subtype and its initial surgical treatment.

⚙

Pathophysiology

Oncogenic Driver Mutations in NSCLC

Activating EGFR mutations and ALK alterations are key molecular features in subsets of non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Show evidence (1 reference)

PMID:22932130 SUPPORT

"The discovery of activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase positivity has made personalized treatment for NSCLC more feasible."

The abstract links EGFR mutations and ALK positivity with NSCLC.

VEGFA-Mediated Angiogenesis

VEGFA-driven angiogenesis contributes to lung cancer progression and promotes a proangiogenic signaling network.

angiogenesis link ↑ INCREASED

Show evidence (1 reference)

PMID:26542886 SUPPORT

"Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is one of the main mediators of angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)."

The abstract identifies VEGFA as a key mediator of angiogenesis in NSCLC.

●

Phenotypes

Respiratory 2

Cough COMMON Cough (HP:0012735)

Show evidence (1 reference)

PMID:29666219 SUPPORT

"Compared with the cough-alone symptom group, the risks of dying or HRs were significantly higher for the groups presenting with breathlessness (HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.24, n=359), systemic symptoms (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.48 to 2.45, n=95), weight loss (HR 2.46, 95% CI 1.90 to 3.18, n=106), chest..."

The abstract describes cough as a presenting symptom group in lung cancer.

Dyspnea COMMON Dyspnea (HP:0002094)

Show evidence (1 reference)

PMID:29666219 SUPPORT

Breathlessness is listed among presenting symptom groups in lung cancer.

Constitutional 1

Chest Pain COMMON Chest pain (HP:0100749)

Show evidence (1 reference)

PMID:29666219 SUPPORT

Chest pain is listed among presenting symptom groups in lung cancer.

Growth 1

Weight Loss COMMON Weight loss (HP:0001824)

Show evidence (1 reference)

PMID:29666219 SUPPORT

Weight loss is listed among presenting symptom groups in lung cancer.

💊

Treatments

Chemotherapy

Action: chemotherapy MAXO:0000647

Systemic chemotherapy, particularly for small cell lung cancer.

Show evidence (1 reference)

PMID:19445746 SUPPORT

"Small cell lung cancer accounts for 20% of all cases, and is usually treated with chemotherapy."

The abstract states that small cell lung cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy.

Surgical Resection

Action: surgical procedure MAXO:0000004

Surgical removal of localized non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Show evidence (1 reference)

PMID:19445746 SUPPORT

"Adenocarcinoma is the main non-small cell pathology, and is treated initially with surgery."

The abstract notes surgery as initial treatment for adenocarcinoma.

🌍

Environmental Factors

Tobacco Smoking

Cigarette smoking is the dominant risk factor for lung carcinoma and drives carcinogenesis through chronic exposure to tobacco carcinogens.

Show evidence (1 reference)

PMID:19445746 SUPPORT

"Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women, with 80-90% of cases caused by smoking."

The abstract identifies smoking as the cause of most lung cancer cases.

📊

Related Datasets

Gene expression data for pathological stage I-II lung adenocarcinomas geo:GSE31210

Microarray profiling of 226 primary lung adenocarcinomas for expression signatures associated with clinical features.

human MICROARRAY n=226

lung tumor tissue

Conditions: lung adenocarcinoma

Large lung adenocarcinoma cohort frequently used for expression-based stratification.

{ }

Source YAML

click to show

name: Lung Carcinoma
creation_date: '2026-02-02T00:16:36Z'
updated_date: '2026-02-17T21:53:14Z'
category: Cancer
parents:
- Thoracic Cancer
disease_term:
  preferred_term: lung carcinoma
  term:
    id: MONDO:0005138
    label: lung carcinoma
description: >-
  Lung carcinoma is a major cause of cancer mortality and is strongly linked to
  tobacco smoking, with multiple histologic subtypes requiring distinct
  treatments.
pathophysiology:
- name: Oncogenic Driver Mutations in NSCLC
  description: >-
    Activating EGFR mutations and ALK alterations are key molecular features in
    subsets of non-small cell lung carcinoma.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:22932130
    reference_title: "Targeted therapy for lung cancer."
    supports: SUPPORT
    snippet: "The discovery of activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor
      receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase positivity has made personalized treatment
      for NSCLC more feasible."
    explanation: The abstract links EGFR mutations and ALK positivity with
      NSCLC.
- name: VEGFA-Mediated Angiogenesis
  description: >-
    VEGFA-driven angiogenesis contributes to lung cancer progression and
    promotes a proangiogenic signaling network.
  biological_processes:
  - preferred_term: angiogenesis
    modifier: INCREASED
    term:
      id: GO:0001525
      label: angiogenesis
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:26542886
    reference_title: "Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A Regulates the Secretion of Different Angiogenic Factors in Lung Cancer Cells."
    supports: SUPPORT
    snippet: "Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is one of the main mediators
      of angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)."
    explanation: The abstract identifies VEGFA as a key mediator of angiogenesis
      in NSCLC.
has_subtypes:
- name: Small Cell Lung Cancer
  description: >-
    High-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma accounting for a minority of lung
    cancers, often treated with systemic chemotherapy.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:19445746
    reference_title: "Lung cancer."
    supports: SUPPORT
    snippet: "Small cell lung cancer accounts for 20% of all cases, and is usually
      treated with chemotherapy."
    explanation: The abstract identifies small cell lung cancer as a major
      subtype and notes chemotherapy treatment.
- name: Lung Adenocarcinoma (NSCLC)
  description: >-
    The most common non-small cell lung carcinoma histology, often treated
    initially with surgery when resectable.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:19445746
    reference_title: "Lung cancer."
    supports: SUPPORT
    snippet: "Adenocarcinoma is the main non-small cell pathology, and is treated
      initially with surgery."
    explanation: The abstract notes adenocarcinoma as the main NSCLC subtype and
      its initial surgical treatment.
environmental:
- name: Tobacco Smoking
  description: >-
    Cigarette smoking is the dominant risk factor for lung carcinoma and drives
    carcinogenesis through chronic exposure to tobacco carcinogens.
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:19445746
    reference_title: "Lung cancer."
    supports: SUPPORT
    snippet: "Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women,
      with 80-90% of cases caused by smoking."
    explanation: The abstract identifies smoking as the cause of most lung
      cancer cases.
  exposure_term:
    preferred_term: exposure to tobacco smoking
    term:
      id: ECTO:6000029
      label: exposure to tobacco smoking
phenotypes:
- name: Cough
  category: Respiratory
  frequency: COMMON
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Cough
    term:
      id: HP:0012735
      label: Cough
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:29666219
    reference_title: "Symptoms at lung cancer diagnosis are associated with major differences in prognosis."
    supports: SUPPORT
    snippet: "Compared with the cough-alone symptom group, the risks of dying or HRs
      were significantly higher for the groups presenting with breathlessness (HR
      1.86, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.24, n=359), systemic symptoms (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.48 to
      2.45, n=95), weight loss (HR 2.46, 95% CI 1.90 to 3.18, n=106), chest pain (HR
      1.96, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.45, n=159), cough with breathlessness (HR 1.59 95% CI
      1.28 to 1.98, n=177), neurological symptoms (HR 3.07, 95% CI 2.45 to 3.84, n=155)
      and other symptom combinations (HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.75 to 2.40, n=1963)."
    explanation: The abstract describes cough as a presenting symptom group in
      lung cancer.
- name: Dyspnea
  category: Respiratory
  frequency: COMMON
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Dyspnea
    term:
      id: HP:0002094
      label: Dyspnea
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:29666219
    reference_title: "Symptoms at lung cancer diagnosis are associated with major differences in prognosis."
    supports: SUPPORT
    snippet: "Compared with the cough-alone symptom group, the risks of dying or HRs
      were significantly higher for the groups presenting with breathlessness (HR
      1.86, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.24, n=359), systemic symptoms (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.48 to
      2.45, n=95), weight loss (HR 2.46, 95% CI 1.90 to 3.18, n=106), chest pain (HR
      1.96, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.45, n=159), cough with breathlessness (HR 1.59 95% CI
      1.28 to 1.98, n=177), neurological symptoms (HR 3.07, 95% CI 2.45 to 3.84, n=155)
      and other symptom combinations (HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.75 to 2.40, n=1963)."
    explanation: Breathlessness is listed among presenting symptom groups in
      lung cancer.
- name: Weight Loss
  category: Constitutional
  frequency: COMMON
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Weight loss
    term:
      id: HP:0001824
      label: Weight loss
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:29666219
    reference_title: "Symptoms at lung cancer diagnosis are associated with major differences in prognosis."
    supports: SUPPORT
    snippet: "Compared with the cough-alone symptom group, the risks of dying or HRs
      were significantly higher for the groups presenting with breathlessness (HR
      1.86, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.24, n=359), systemic symptoms (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.48 to
      2.45, n=95), weight loss (HR 2.46, 95% CI 1.90 to 3.18, n=106), chest pain (HR
      1.96, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.45, n=159), cough with breathlessness (HR 1.59 95% CI
      1.28 to 1.98, n=177), neurological symptoms (HR 3.07, 95% CI 2.45 to 3.84, n=155)
      and other symptom combinations (HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.75 to 2.40, n=1963)."
    explanation: Weight loss is listed among presenting symptom groups in lung
      cancer.
- name: Chest Pain
  category: Respiratory
  frequency: COMMON
  phenotype_term:
    preferred_term: Chest pain
    term:
      id: HP:0100749
      label: Chest pain
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:29666219
    reference_title: "Symptoms at lung cancer diagnosis are associated with major differences in prognosis."
    supports: SUPPORT
    snippet: "Compared with the cough-alone symptom group, the risks of dying or HRs
      were significantly higher for the groups presenting with breathlessness (HR
      1.86, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.24, n=359), systemic symptoms (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.48 to
      2.45, n=95), weight loss (HR 2.46, 95% CI 1.90 to 3.18, n=106), chest pain (HR
      1.96, 95% CI 1.56 to 2.45, n=159), cough with breathlessness (HR 1.59 95% CI
      1.28 to 1.98, n=177), neurological symptoms (HR 3.07, 95% CI 2.45 to 3.84, n=155)
      and other symptom combinations (HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.75 to 2.40, n=1963)."
    explanation: Chest pain is listed among presenting symptom groups in lung
      cancer.
treatments:
- name: Chemotherapy
  description: Systemic chemotherapy, particularly for small cell lung cancer.
  treatment_term:
    preferred_term: chemotherapy
    term:
      id: MAXO:0000647
      label: chemotherapy
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:19445746
    reference_title: "Lung cancer."
    supports: SUPPORT
    snippet: "Small cell lung cancer accounts for 20% of all cases, and is usually
      treated with chemotherapy."
    explanation: The abstract states that small cell lung cancer is usually
      treated with chemotherapy.
- name: Surgical Resection
  description: Surgical removal of localized non-small cell lung carcinoma.
  treatment_term:
    preferred_term: surgical procedure
    term:
      id: MAXO:0000004
      label: surgical procedure
  evidence:
  - reference: PMID:19445746
    reference_title: "Lung cancer."
    supports: SUPPORT
    snippet: "Adenocarcinoma is the main non-small cell pathology, and is treated
      initially with surgery."
    explanation: The abstract notes surgery as initial treatment for
      adenocarcinoma.
datasets:
- accession: geo:GSE31210
  title: Gene expression data for pathological stage I-II lung adenocarcinomas
  description: >-
    Microarray profiling of 226 primary lung adenocarcinomas for expression
    signatures associated with clinical features.
  organism:
    preferred_term: human
    term:
      id: NCBITaxon:9606
      label: Homo sapiens
  data_type: MICROARRAY
  sample_types:
  - preferred_term: lung tumor tissue
    tissue_term:
      preferred_term: lung
      term:
        id: UBERON:0002048
        label: lung
  sample_count: 226
  conditions:
  - lung adenocarcinoma
  notes: >-
    Large lung adenocarcinoma cohort frequently used for expression-based
    stratification.
references:
- reference: DOI:10.1016/j.trecan.2024.07.008
  title: 'Small cell lung cancer profiling: an updated synthesis of subtypes, vulnerabilities,
    and plasticity'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.1038/s41417-024-00761-z
  title: 'Hippo pathway in non-small cell lung cancer: mechanisms, potential targets,
    and biomarkers'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.1038/s41420-024-02182-1
  title: 'The miRNA and PD-1/PD-L1 signaling axis: an arsenal of immunotherapeutic
    targets against lung cancer'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.1038/s41467-024-48700-8
  title: Single-cell and spatial transcriptomics analysis of non-small cell lung
    cancer
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.1038/s41571-024-00914-x
  title: Emerging advances in defining the molecular and therapeutic landscape
    of small-cell lung cancer
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.1038/s41572-024-00551-9
  title: Non-small-cell lung cancer
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.1073/pnas.0701059104
  title: Homeobox gene methylation in lung cancer studied by genome-wide
    analysis with a microarray-based methylated CpG island recovery assay
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.1073/pnas.0907781106
  title: Alterations of the Notch pathway in lung cancer
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.1165/rcmb.2023-0176ps
  title: Extracellular Matrix as a Driver of Chronic Lung Diseases
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.1186/s12943-024-02014-x
  title: 'Molecular classification and biomarkers of outcome with immunotherapy in
    extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer: analyses of the CASPIAN phase 3 study'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.1186/s12943-025-02287-w
  title: Single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analyses revealing tumor
    microenvironment remodeling after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in
    non-small cell lung cancer
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.21037/atm-22-4479
  title: 'A snapshot of lung cancer: where are we now?—a narrative review'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.21037/tlcr-24-662
  title: 'Fuel for thought: targeting metabolism in lung cancer'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.21203/rs.3.rs-4396272/v1
  title: The evolution of lung adenocarcinoma precursors is associated with
    chromosomal instability and transition from innate to adaptive immune
    response/evasion
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fcell.2025.1542967
  title: 'Notch signaling in cancers: mechanism and potential therapy'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2022.951817
  title: PD-1/PD-L1 combined with LAG3 is associated with clinical activity of
    immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic primary pulmonary
    lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2023.1275957
  title: 'Histological transformation into SCLC: An important resistance mechanism
    of NSCLC upon immunotherapy'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2025.1549276
  title: Research progress of HIF-1a on immunotherapy outcomes in immune
    vascular microenvironment
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2025.1679537
  title: 'Targeting tumor-associated macrophages in non-small cell lung cancer: mechanisms,
    prognosis, and therapeutic opportunities'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fmolb.2021.731788
  title: EMT Mechanism, Lung Cancer Metastasis, and microRNA
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fonc.2013.00135
  title: Epigenetic Therapy in Lung Cancer
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fonc.2021.672195
  title: 'Early Dissemination of Circulating Tumor Cells: Biological and Clinical
    Insights'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fonc.2021.757323
  title: 'Alternative Energy: Breaking Down the Diverse Metabolic Features of Lung
    Cancers'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fonc.2022.873994
  title: 'Lung Cancer Stem Cell Markers as Therapeutic Targets: An Update on Signaling
    Pathways and Therapies'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fonc.2024.1379698
  title: 'Natural products targeting autophagy and apoptosis in NSCLC: a novel therapeutic
    strategy'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fphar.2023.1250893
  title: 'Natural compounds: Wnt pathway inhibitors with therapeutic potential in
    lung cancer'
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fphar.2024.1516650
  title: Metabolic reprogramming in lung cancer and its clinical implication
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3390/cancers17020255
  title: Recent Advances in the Clinical Translation of Small-Cell Lung Cancer
    Therapeutics
  findings: []
- reference: PMID:40244052
  title: 'Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts as the "Architect" of the Lung Cancer Immune
    Microenvironment: Multidimensional Roles and Synergistic Regulation with Radiotherapy.'
  findings: []
- reference: PMID:40960909
  title: Expression and Clinical Implications of LAG-3 in Small Cell Lung
    Cancer.
  findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3389/fphar.2021.648407
  title: Clinically-Relevant ABC Transporter for Anti-Cancer Drug Resistance
  findings: []

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