[Epidemiology and delays in the management of 355 patients with lung cancer]

Abstract

Background: The epidemiology of patients with lung cancer in a Seine-Saint-Denis hospital are reported, as well as causes of diagnostic and therapeutic delays in their management.

Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of cases diagnosed from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2003.

Results: Of 355 cases, 15.8% were women; the average age was 62 +/- 11. Mean smoking history was 50 +/- 24 pack years. Women were more likely to be non-smokers than men (16% and 1% respectively, p < 0.01) and were more likely to present at a young age (under the age of 50: 26.8% and 13.7% respectively, p < 0.05). Among women, adenocarcinoma was more frequent (41% vs. 25%, p < 0.05), and often presented with stage IV disease (74%). Squamous cell carcinoma occurred more frequently with increasing age (18.7% vs. 32.2% before and after the age of 60, p < 0.01). The median pre hospital, diagnostic and treatment delays were respectively 30, 10 and 9 days, the global delay from first symptom to treatment was 62 days. Surgery increased therapeutic delay by 20 days.

Conclusion: Our results are complementary to those found in KBP-2000-CPHG study. Young women are diagnosed at a late stage. Influence of delays on prognosis is not proved and require others studies.