ABSTRACT
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths and is projected to reach epidemic levels in the world during the 21st century. Identification of individuals at the earliest stages of lung cancer in which curative resection is feasible could greatly reduce mortality. In this respect, the elucidation of genetic and biological changes characterizing the malignant transformation of cells and the development of sensitive techniques able to detect molecular signatures of tumorigenesis in tissues and also in body fluids could actually contribute to improve early detection, risk assessment and disease monitoring which ultimately might result in reduction of lung cancer-related mortality.
