Is it possible for chronic bronchitis to turn into lung cancer?

What are the chances of getting lung cancer before the age of 20?
Can you get it after smoking 2, 4 or 6 years?
And back to my original question, can chronic bronchitis turn into lung cancer?

No chronic bronchitis does not lead to lung cancer however it does lead to pneumonia and once one has had pneumonia they tend to be suceptible to getting it again and again. You can get lung cancer at any age and it doesn't always come with smoking, although smoking is a major cause of lung cancer. I've known people who smoked for most of their lives and die of natural causes without ever having lung cancer, I've also known people who never smoked who have succumbed to lung cancer.
Contrary to myth chronic bronchitis does not only happen in the elderly, it can and does happen in younger people as well who probably had their first bout of it as small children. Those with asthma are also prone to chronic bronchitis.
Once one learns the early signs of bronchitis they can do things that will help prevent it from progressing and causing one to miss school or work because of the illness, flu shots help as does being physically fit to begin with, getting enough rest etc. Source(s): Both my daughter and myself are sufferers of chronic bronchitis, both have suffered from asthma both have had pneumonia over the years.

Well, first of all, chronic bronchitis is a condition usually found in the elderly so I'd be very surprised if you have that if you're not even 20. Second, I don't think it does turn into lung cancer since it's a standalone chronic condition by itself. However, it may weaken your body so that it will be easier to get lung cancer.

If you're a smoker, it will take many years before you end up getting lung cancer. I've never heard of anyone who smokes getting lung cancer before their 50s or later. It is guaranteed to happen though, yes.
Um, I'm not sure but I don't think bronchitis can turn to cancer.
Chronic bronchitis will not turn into lung cancer, but people who have chronic bronchitis from smoking can also get cancer from smoking.

It takes longer than a few years for most people to develop their cancers, but I've taken care of patients in their 40's with lung cancer.

That may seem old to you now, but it won't when you're 40!

Yesterday, I gave anesthesia to 3 patients with lung cancer. One had a wedge of lung taken out, one had a biopsy but was closed up because the tumor was unresectable, and the third had about a gallon and a half of bloody fluid taken off from around his left lung - likely malignant.

Don't smoke. The end is ugly.
I'm an anesthesiologist.
Chronic bronchitis cannot "turn into" cancer. They are two separate conditions. However, smokers are at high risk for both. yes, it is possible to get lung cancer at a very young age. Sometimes, this is the type of lung cancer that is not caused by smoking. I you have concerns, you need to get checked by a doctor immediately.