Lung cancer

The most important information on lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths and the second most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.1

Lung cancer is also the second most common cancer in Switzerland, with an incidence of 5,100 new cases per year and a mortality rate of 3,300 deaths annually.2

The 5-year survival rate in Switzerland is 29% for men and 35% for women (absolute survival rate, period 2013-2017).2

Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer and is responsible for around 85% of all cases.4 Other risk factors for the development of lung cancer include passive smoking, air pollution, occupational exposure (e.g. asbestos) and radon.5 Genetic factors can also contribute to the development of lung cancer.5

A significant proportion of lung cancer patients have changes in certain genes that drive oncogenesis. Around 29% of NSCLC (Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for the 80% of all lung cancers )6 contain a KRAS mutation and around 14% an EGFR mutation.7 In recent years, more of these so-called oncogenic drivers have been identified, and a better understanding of their biology has enabled the development of new targeted agents.6

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Incidence

With over 2.5 million new cases per year, lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed type of cancer worldwide3

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Mortality

In Switzerland, an average of around 9 people die from lung cancer every day2

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Survival rate

 3-year survival rates for NSCLC range from 84% in stage I to 21.3% in stage IV

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of lung cancer include:9

  • Cough (approx. 50% of patients)
  • Shortness of breath (approx. 33-50% of patients)
  • Coughing up blood (haemoptysis) (approx. 25% of patients)
  • Recurrent pneumonia
  • Chest pain
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss

The initial symptoms may be mild or categorised as common respiratory illnesses, leading to a delayed diagnosis.4 This is why lung cancer is often only diagnosed at an advanced stage.9

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is typically made with a CT of the chest. The diagnosis is then confirmed by biopsy, whereby tissue samples are taken for histopathological examination and for molecular tests to identify specific genetic mutations or biomarkers. These tests help to find the best treatment option.4

Once primary lung cancer has been confirmed and differentiated by pathology, targeted diagnostics on the spread of the cancer are indicated.3,4

Treatment

The treatment of lung cancer depends on the type of cancer and the stage of the disease.

Treatment may include the following:4

  • Surgery
  • Radiotherapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted therapies

Surgery is the treatment of choice if there are no contraindications and the

tumour is resectable. Depending on the stage of the tumour, surgery is supplemented by other therapies: neoadjuvant, perioperative and adjuvant systemic therapies help to improve survival rates. If the disease is more advanced and surgical removal of the tumour is not possible, the alternative therapy is chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted therapy.4

CT: Computed tomography; EGFR: Epidermal growth factor receptor; KRAS: Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene; NSCLC: Non-small cell lung cancer.
References:
  1. Sung H, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020, GLOBOCAN Estimates of lncidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021 May;71(3),209-249. 
  2. Cancer in Switzerland: key figures; Swiss Cancer League, last revised in November 2025. Available online at: https://www.krebsliga.ch/ueber-krebs/zahlen-fakten/-dl-/fileadmin/downloads/sheets/zahlen­-krebs-in-der-schweiz.pdf. Last accessed on: 07/06/2026.
  3. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer. last updated 16/04/2026.
  4. Lung cancer, Factsheet, WHO. Last revised on 26/06/2023. Available online at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer. Last accessed on: 07/06/2026. 
  5. de Groot P, Munden RF. Lung cancer epidemiology, risk factors, and prevention. Radiol Clin North Am. 2012 Sep;50(5):863-76. 
  6. Chevallier M, et al. Oncogenic driver mutations in non-small cell lung cancer: Past, present and future. World J Clin Oncol. 2021 Apr 24;12(4):217-237. 
  7. Zhang YL, et al. The prevalence of EGFR mutation in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Oncotarget. 2016 Nov 29;7(48):78985-78993. 
  8. Delahaye D, et al. Lung cancer survival in the era of precision medicine and immunotherapy: analysis of the KBP-2020 cohort. New England Journal of Medicine Evidence. 2025;4(7). DOI: 10.1056/EVIDoa2400443.
  9. Nasim F, et al. Lung Cancer. Med Clin North Am. 2019 May;103(3):463-473.

Healthcare professionals may request the referenced publications from AstraZeneca.

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CH-12843-Revision date 06/2026

This website is intended for healthcare professionals in Switzerland only.