This review examines the global epidemiology of lung cancer, highlighting variations in incidence and mortality rates across different regions. In industrialized nations, smoking patterns have led to rising or plateauing lung cancer rates in women, lagging behind declining trends in men. Emerging economies exhibit diverse smoking practices and cancer incidence, often with high environmental exposures, particularly air pollution. Recent research has revealed clinical, radiologic, and pathologic correlates, advancing molecular profiling and targeted therapeutics, with a focus on adenocarcinoma histology. Lung cancer screening efforts aim to identify high-risk smokers and develop prediction tools. The review also discusses the epidemiological characteristics of special groups, including women and non-smokers, and the impact of varying smoking trends on international patterns. Despite declines in smoking rates and advancements in molecular profiling, new risk factors and disease features will shape the future of lung cancer epidemiology.This review examines the global epidemiology of lung cancer, highlighting variations in incidence and mortality rates across different regions. In industrialized nations, smoking patterns have led to rising or plateauing lung cancer rates in women, lagging behind declining trends in men. Emerging economies exhibit diverse smoking practices and cancer incidence, often with high environmental exposures, particularly air pollution. Recent research has revealed clinical, radiologic, and pathologic correlates, advancing molecular profiling and targeted therapeutics, with a focus on adenocarcinoma histology. Lung cancer screening efforts aim to identify high-risk smokers and develop prediction tools. The review also discusses the epidemiological characteristics of special groups, including women and non-smokers, and the impact of varying smoking trends on international patterns. Despite declines in smoking rates and advancements in molecular profiling, new risk factors and disease features will shape the future of lung cancer epidemiology.