Lung cancer is increasing in incidence particularly among women, associated with a global change in smoking habits. Steroid hormones, particularly oestrogen exert an influence on tumour progression in tissues where their target receptor is expressed. Oestrogen receptor, particularly ERβ is highly expressed in the lung and becomes more highly expressed in lung carcinogenesis. Genes involved in the process of lung carcinoma progression and signalling cascades linked to invasion and angiogenesis are modulated by oestrogen receptors. This review intends to collate recently published evidence identifying a role for oestrogen in the initiation and progression of lung carcinoma and how these two processes are differentially affected by circulating oestrogens both in women and in men. Circulating oestrogens may be a significant risk factor in women’s susceptibility to lung carcinoma and also provide an additional approach for more targeted therapy.

肺癌的发病率正在增加，尤其是在女性中，这与全球吸烟习惯的变化有关。类固醇激素，尤其是雌激素，对表达靶受体的组织中的肿瘤进展产生影响。雌激素受体，尤其是 ERβ 在肺中高度表达，并在肺癌发生过程中变得更高表达。参与肺癌进展过程和与侵袭和血管生成相关的信号级联过程的基因受雌激素受体调节。本综述旨在整理最近发表的证据，确定雌激素在肺癌发生和进展中的作用，以及这两个过程如何受到女性和男性循环雌激素的不同影响。