Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis coexisting with lung cancer - a review.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease with poor prognosis. Although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, IPF is connected with lung cancer development, which farther worsens the prognosis. Various papers report IPF and cancer coexistence in 9.8% to even 82% of patients depending on observation period. Contrary to already established guidelines in the general population, there are no widely accepted recommendations on lung cancer treatment in IPF population. At the same time, various oncologic interventions can result in acute exacerbation of IPF. This paper tries to revise the available data on lung cancer in patients with preexisting IPF.