Survival of small-cell lung cancer and its determinants of outcome in Singapore.
BACKGROUND
The survival and epidemiology of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) in Singapore has not been described. We aim to present the characteristics as well as determine the survival outcome and important prognostic factors for SCLC patients.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of SCLC patients diagnosed from 1999 to 2002 was conducted at the Outram campus, Singapore. Clinical characteristics and treatment data were obtained from case records and survival data were checked with the registry of births and deaths on 30 May 2005.


RESULTS
One hundred and eleven patients were analysed. There were 38 (34.2%) limited-disease (LD) patients and 73 (65.8%) extensive-disease (ED) patients. The majority were current or former smokers (94.7% among LD and 94.5% among ED). More patients with LD had good performance status (92% versus 63%, P = 0.0003) and were treated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy (82% versus 48%, P = 0.012). The median survival time of LD patients treated with curative chemoradiotherapy was 14.2 months (95% CI, 10.96 to 17.44). Those given prophylactic cranial irradiation had a median survival time of 16.9 months (95% CI, 11.83 to 21.97). For ED patients, the median survival time was 8.17 months (95%CI, 5.44 to 10.89). None of the factors analysed were significant prognostic factors for LD patients while performance status and type of treatment given were significant among ED patients.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that the characteristics and survival of SCLC patients in Singapore are fairly similar to that of other countries.
Toh
Chee-Keong
CK
Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore. dmotck@nccs.com.sg
Hee
Siew-Wan
SW
Lim
Wan-Teck
WT
Leong
Swan-Swan
SS
Fong
Kam-Weng
KW
Yap
Swee-Peng
SP
Hsu
Anne A L
AA
Eng
Philip
P
Koong
Heng-Nung
HN
Agasthian
Thirugnanam
T
Tan
Eng-Huat
EH
D000368:Aged; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology