Significantly lower rate of smoking in female compared to male patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

To examine the relationship between smoking and lung adenocarcinoma in female patients, we performed a retrospective chart review for 470 patients with lung adenocarcinoma at our hospital. The proportions of non-smokers were higher in female patients than those of male patients. A significant difference in smoking history was found between female and male patients. Not only active smoking but also passive smoking may influence the development of female lung adenocarcinoma, which reinforces the need for effective programmes aimed refraining from smoking and cessation among men as well as women.