Residential radon and small cell lung cancer. A systematic review

Cancer Lett. 2018 Jul 10:426:57-62. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.04.003. Epub 2018 Apr 11.

Abstract

Residential radon exposure is considered the second cause of lung cancer and the first in never smokers. Nevertheless, the association between the different histological types of lung cancer and radon is not completely clear, and radon effect on small cell lung cancer is not completely understood. We aim to asses the effect of residential radon exposure on the risk of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in general population and miners through a systematic review applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. 16 studies were included. Most of them point to a relationship between indoor radon and SCLC, though some investigations show no association. When comparing the risk of SCLC due to radon exposure with NSCLC, it can be observed that an increased risk for SCLC is present. Small cell lung cancer seems to be the histological type of lung cancer most tightly related with residential radon.

Keywords: Lung neoplasms; Residential radon; Small cell lung cancer; Systematic review.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive / poisoning*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / etiology
  • Housing
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / etiology
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / epidemiology*
  • Radon / poisoning*
  • Risk Factors
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / epidemiology*
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / etiology
  • Smoking / adverse effects

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Radon