The risk of lung cancer from vaping or e-cigarette usage: a systematic review
Year: 2025
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Active tobacco smoking remains the primary etiological factor for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The use of electronic cigarettes (ECs) has recently emerged as a potential public health concern due to its suspected association with respiratory and oncogenic outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the association between EC use and the incidence of lung cancer through a systematic review of existing scientific literature. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar up to June 2024. Original research articles of any study design that reported on the association between vaping or EC use and the risk of lung cancer were included. The quality of studies was assessed using the critical appraisal checklists for studies created by the Joanna Briggs Institute. FINDINGS: Of 2252 identified citations, 5 articles were selected for qualitative analysis. These were primarily non-randomised observational designs published between 2019 and 2024. Sample sizes ranged from 3162 to 4 329 288 participants of both genders. A potential association between EC use and the risk of developing lung cancer was observed. Individuals who concurrently use conventional cigarettes and ECs exhibit an increased likelihood of lung cancer incidence. CONCLUSION: This systematic review suggests a potential association between EC use and an increased risk of lung cancer, particularly among dual users; however, causality cannot be established due to heterogeneity and limited longitudinal data.
Source: ESMO Open
Authors: S. Mohapatra, A. Tiwari, A. Kandala, R. Winayak, A. Ghose, R. Das, M. Hasanova, M. Gunani, G. Jaswal, S. Mitra, V. Noronha, A. Jain, F. Merletti, A. Passaro, A. Cortellini, A. Addeo, G.L. Banna, S. Boussios
Institutions: University of Hertfordshire, Queen Mary University of London, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Cancer Research UK, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Barts Cancer Institute, University College London, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, St Bartholomew's Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, University of Nottingham, Allegheny Health Network, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Tata Memorial Hospital, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Cross Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, University of Turin, European Institute of Oncology, Università Campus Bio-Medico, Hammersmith Hospital, Campus Bio Medico University Hospital, Imperial College London, University Hospital of Geneva, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Portsmouth, Canterbury Christ Church University, King's College London, University of Ioannina, University of Kent, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of Ioannina, Kent and Medway Medical School
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,910
OpenAlex ID: W4416415281