Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the incidence of lung cancer is elevated, and its prognosis is worse compared to that in the general population. The estimated incidence rate ratio (IRR) of developing lung cancer in IPF is around 6.42 (95% CI 3.21–9.62) and increases over time from 1% at 1 year, 15% at 5,and 30% at 10 years of follow-up.Currently, predicting which IPF patients will develop lung cancer remains challenging. The diagnosis of lung cancer in IPF patients can be difficult. Lung cancer is detected often as a peripheral nodule in the lower lobes, within areas of fibrosis, on a thoracic computed tomography scan performed during IPF follow-up. In this context, past environmental exposures, which might contribute to both conditions, warrant close attention and can help in identifying the IPF patients at risk of lung cancer. [...]