[Surgical management and outcomes of lung cancer in women - results from the Epithor database].
BACKGROUND
Rates of lung cancer in women have been increasing continually for several years. The basic surgical management of this condition is the same in both sexes but a number of differences are apparent.


METHODS
We analysed data entered onto the Epithor database between June 2002 and June 2006 concerning 8535 surgical resections performed in primary lung cancer.


RESULTS
22.5 percent of patients were women. They were significantly younger (59.6 years vs 62.7 years) and had a lower BMI (24.7 kg x m(-2) vs 25.5 kg x m(-2)). They were in a better physical condition in terms of American Society of Anaesthesiology score and performance status, with better preserved lung function and fewer co-morbidities (1.8 vs 2.1) compared to men. The percentage of adenocarcinomas was higher in women and a higher proportion had early stage disease. 30 day mortality was three times as high in men who also experienced much greater post-operative morbidity. Multivariate analysis revealed an odds ratio of 0.49 (95% CI 0.3-0.8) for mortality and 0.54 (95% CI 0.4-0.6) for morbidity in women compared to men.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with lung cancer have less risk of post-operative morbidity and mortality than men. These data suggest that they might be able to benefit from more aggressive perioperative therapy.
Brouchet
L
L
Service de Chirurgie Thoracique, Clinique des Voies Respiratoires, Hôpital Rangueil-Larrey, CHU de Toulouse, France. brouchet.l@chu-toulouse.fr
Mazieres
J
J
Bauvin
E
E
Bigay-Game
L
L
Renaud
C
C
Berjaud
J
J
Dahan
M
M
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D013908:Thoracotomy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome