Introduction Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. However, there are differences in the incidence and prevalence rates between countries. The aim of this study was to determine the trend of crude and age standardised incidence rates of lung cancer in Fars province, southern Iran, between 2001 and 2009.

Materials and Methods Crude incidence rates were calculated per 100 000 persons per year and age standardised incidence rate per 100 000 persons per year, performed by direct method using the world standard population. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc.) and M.S. Excel 2007.

Results There were 918 lung cancer cases (71.1% male). Over the 9 years period, age standardised incidence rates increased 3.52 times, from 1.50 to 5.29 per 100 000 persons per year.

Conclusion Similarly to the majority of countries, lung cancer incidence rates in Fars province have increased. This rate is higher in male and elderly age groups.