Lung cancer in Malaysia.
Between 1967 and 1976, 388 cases of lung cancer were seen at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, with histological confirmation in 72%. Most were aged from 50--80, with a male to female ratio of 2.8 : 1. The patients were predominantly of Chinese origin (82%) and from the lower socioeconomic strata. A history of smoking was elicited in 78%. The chief clinical and radiological features and the diagnostic methods are presented. The incidence of the histological types was squamous carcinoma 34%, adenocarcinoma 25%, large cell carcinoma 12%, small (oat) cell carcinoma 12%, "unidifferentiated/anaplastic" 15%, and others 2%. Malays appeared to have a higher percentage of adenocarcinoma. A comparison between the histologically confirmed group and the rest showed no significant difference in features. Problems pertaining to the management of Malaysian patients are discussed.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000453:epidemiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged