Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease, and lung cancer is a significant comorbidity with high prevalence and adverse impact on survival. Early detection of IPF and targeted interventions require understanding the associated risk factors and clinical presentation of lung cancer in IPF. This single-center, retrospective cohort study aimed to identify risk factors for lung cancer in IPF patients, investigate its clinical features, and determine its impact on survival. Of the 1481 patients with interstitial lung disease, 436 met the criteria for IPF per American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society guidelines. Patients followed up for 5-year mortality rates for patients with and without lung cancer were 15.2% to 3.3%, 35.5%- 8.4%, and 42.3% to 15.2%, respectively ( P = .026). Our study identified significant risk factors for lung cancer in IPF patients and demonstrated its negative impact on survival. The presence of emphysema, low body mass index, absence of antifibrotic therapy, and ≥36 pack-years of smoking were significantly associated with lung cancer development. Awareness of these factors is crucial for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment strategy determination, potentially improving outcomes in this high-risk population.
Erten et al. (Fri,) studied this question.