Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges for Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Lung Cancer
Theodoros Karampitsakos 1, Demosthenes Bouros 2, Argyris Tzouvelekis 1
1 Department of Internal and Respiratory Medicine, Medical School University of Patras, Greece; 2 First Academic Department of Respiratory Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Greece
*Correspondence: Argyris Tzouvelekis, Email not available
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, debilitating lung disease with a steady increase in both incidence and mortality. Patients with IPF present with an increased risk for lung cancer development compared to the general population, while lung cancer development has a major impact on patients’ prognosis. Importantly, lung cancer development has an increased risk during the IPF course. Nonetheless, well-designed prospective studies for patients with IPF and lung cancer are currently lacking. Thus, there seems to be major heterogeneity in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for these patients. This review article aims to address the main diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for patients with IPF and lung cancer.
