[Lung cancer].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to examine our lung cancer patients, particularly their smoking habits and survival rates.


METHODS
Information was recorded prospectively on 219 patients seen in our hospital from 1987 to 1992.


RESULTS
Average age was 65.5 years (39-85 years). 27% were female. 9% were 49 years or younger, 13 men and seven women. Only six patient (3%) were non-smokers, 77% were smokers and 20% ex-smokers. 52 patients (24%) had small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and 167 (76%) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). All six non-smokers had adenocarcinoma (two bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma). 63% had advanced disease (stage IIIB and IV or small cell cancer, extensive disease). Only 22 patients (10%) were alive at five years: 19 patients with NSCLC who had got surgical treatment, one patient with NSCLC (stage IIIB) who had recieved radiotherapy, and two patients with SCLC, limited disease, treated with chemo- and radiotherapy. The surgically treated patients (23%) had a five-year survival of 50% (17/33) at stage I, 33% (2/6) at stage II, and none (0/7) at stage IIIA.


CONCLUSIONS
This poor outlook for patients with lung cancer and the fact that there are few non-smokers among them, tell us that the major emphasis must be on prevention.
Lungeseksjonen Medisinsk avdeling Nordland sentralsykehus 8092 Bodø.
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Alexandersen
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015996:Survival Rate