Caini S, Del Riccio M, Vettori V, Scotti V, Martinoli C, Raimondi S, Cammarata G, Palli D, Banini M, Masala G, Gandini S. Quitting Smoking At or Around Diagnosis Improves the Overall Survival of Lung Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
J Thorac Oncol 2022;
17:623-636. [PMID:
34995798 DOI:
10.1016/j.jtho.2021.12.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Lung cancer (LC) remains a disease with poor prognosis despite recent advances in treatments. Here, we aimed at summarizing the current scientific evidence on whether quitting smoking at or around diagnosis has a beneficial effect on the survival of LC patients.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for articles published until 31st October, 2021, that quantified the impact on LC patients' survival of quitting smoking at or around diagnosis or during treatment. Study-specific data were pooled into summary relative risk (SRR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random effect meta-analysis models.
RESULTS
Twenty-one articles published between 1980 and 2021 were included, which encompassed a total of over 10,000 LC patients. There was substantial variability across studies in terms of design, patients' characteristics, treatments received, criteria used to define smoking status (quitters or continued), and duration of follow-up. Quitting smoking at or around diagnosis was significantly associated with improved overall survival (SRR 0.71, 95% CI 0.64-0.80), consistently among patients with non-small cell LC (SRR 0.77, 95% CI 0.66-0.90, n studies = 8), small cell LC (SRR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57-0.99, n studies = 4), or LC of both or unspecified histological type (SRR 0.81, 95% CI 0.68-0.96, n studies = 6).
CONCLUSIONS
Quitting smoking at or around diagnosis is associated with a beneficial effect on the survival of LC patients. Treating physicians should educate LC patients about the benefits of quitting smoking even after diagnosis and provide them with the necessary smoking cessation support.
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