Lung cancer survivors are at significant risk of developing second primary lung cancer (SPLC), with an incidence of four to six times greater than that of developing initial primary lung cancer (IPLC) in the general population. While prior studies have shown racial and ethnic disparities in the incidence and mortality of initial lung cancer, potential differences in SPLC risk by racial and ethnic groups are understudied.
To fill this gap, a study in JNCI Cancer Spectrum led by Dr. Eunji Choi, assistant professor of population health sciences, and colleagues uses data from the Multiethnic Cohort Study, a population-based cohort of five races (African American, Japanese American, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, and white), to quantify SPLC incidence patterns.
Results show that while the ten-year cumulative IPLC incidence was substantially lower among Hispanics compared to the other races, the SPLC incidence following IPLC was as high among Hispanics as other racial groups. The Hispanic paradox, where Hispanic lung cancer patients have 50% lower mortality despite being diagnosed at more advanced stage and lower socioeconomic status compared to White patients, does not hold for SPLC risk. Differences in tumor biology or lower adherence to recommended therapy could explain their higher SPLC risk. However, there are currently no race-specific risk factors for SPLC.
Researchers stress the importance of further investigating race-specific SPLC risk factors to understand the incidence of SPLC among Hispanics as well as other racial groups. New strategies are also necessary to help reduce potential health disparities among lung cancer survivors while accounting for racial characteristics.
- Highlights