When analyzed according to the histological type, the effect of the TERT rs2736098 polymorphism on the NSCLC risk was significant for adenocarcinomas (A vs. G: OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.05–1.57, P = 0.016; AA vs. GG: OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.12–2.50, P = 0.013), but not for squamous cell carcinomas (A vs. G: OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.89–1.38, P = 0.363; AA vs. GG: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 0.78–1.94, P = 0.375; AA+AG vs. GG: OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.82–1.52, P = 0.487) ( Table 2). Here, TERT is linked to adenocarcinoma.