Pack Years Calculator

Why Use

Standard clinical measure of quantifying smoking history. Correlates with survival, particularly in patients with diagnosed lung cancer. In one study of patients with advanced lung cancer (stage IIIB/IV NSCLC ), median overall survival was 10.8 months in patients with >15 pack year history, compared to 14.6 months in those with ≤15 pack year history ( Janjigian 2010 ).

When to Use

Patients who report any smoking history.

Formula

Advice

According to clinical practice guidelines, adult patients ages 50-80 years with ≥20 pack year history of smoking and who currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years are generally considered high risk for lung cancer and should undergo annual screening with low-dose CT ( USPSTF , AAFP , NCCN , and others).

More Information

Interpretation: More pack years correlates with higher lung disease risk, including lung cancer. Consider screening with low-dose CT in adult patients ages 50-80 years with ≥20 pack year history of smoking and who currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years. Counsel patients on smoking cessation.