According to statistics, the global incidence of chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD) in the population aged over 40 years old is as high as 9%-10% at present. According to the latest data by Word Health Organization, lung cancer accounts for 11.6% of all new cancer cases in the world, with a case fatality rate of 18.4%. The lung cancer has the highest incidence rate and case fatality rate in China and even in the world. The annual incidence of COPD with lung cancer is 16.7% and is still rising. COPD with lung cancer is difficult to treat because a treatment plan should be considered both diseases. With a high fatality rate, the comorbidity poses a great burden on medical resources. The pathogenesis of COPD with lung cancer is complex, and COPD itself is a risk factor for lung cancer. In this paper, we reviewed the recent progress in the pathogenesis of COPD with lung cancer.