title: [The connection between delayed diagnosis of lung cancer and the intraoperative stage].
abstract: The five-year survival after surgery for non-small cell lung cancer is good with respect to Stage I and Stage II and poor with respect to higher stages. The aim of this retrospective study of 172 patients was to detect a connection between the intraoperative stage and the pre-operative delay. Concerning the intervals from first symptom to operation and from first contact with the healthcare system to operation, the delay was significantly shorter for the patients in Stage I and II compared to Stage III and IV. The fraction of lung cancers detected by coincidence was significantly higher in Stage I and II compared with Stage III and IV. In conclusion, a few months' delay before final treatment of a non small-cell lung cancer has an impact on the perioperative stage, and thereby on the patient's prognosis. Screening asymptomatic risk-group patients will result in recognition of early lung cancer.
authors.affiliation: H:S Rigshopitalet, thoraxkirurgisk afdeling RT.
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Harvald
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jendresen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aggestrup
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petterson
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors