Epidemiological Study of Lung Cancer in Iran: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: There is no comprehensive study addressing all the epidemiological aspects of Lung cancer (LC) in Iran, therefore this systematic review investigated the epidemiological aspects of lung cancer in Iran. METHODS: The search was performed until the Aug. 2020 on the in international databases based on PRISMA protocol by Pulmonary Neoplasms, Lung Neoplasm, Neoplasm, Lung, Lung Cancer, Cancer, Pulmonary Cancer, Cancer, Pulmonary, Cancers, Cancer of the Lung, Iran, incidence, death, risk factors keywords and different combinations of them. Articles that evaluated epidemiological aspects of lung cancer were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Of 1420 articles, 82 cases were entered the analysis. Based on studies, in Iran, lung cancer has been the most common cancer and its prevalence is increasing. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer in men and women, respectively. Cigarette smoking, human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, mustard gas, occupational risk factors and genetic factors considered as the major reported risk factors for lung cancer and vegetarian diet as a protective factor. CONCLUSION: In according to the increasing trend of incidence and mortality of lung cancer in Iran, elimination of the major risk factors can decrease this issue and national comprehensive planning should be considered in health promotion plans.