The changing epidemiological trends for carcinoma of the lung in Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
To compare epidemiological parameters for lung cancer in the last 2 decades (1986-1995 versus 1996-2005).


METHODS
Data on demographic characteristics, and histological subtype of lung cancer patients were retrospectively collected by a chart review in Cumhuriyet University Hospital, Sivas, Turkey for the period of 1993-2005. All other full-text papers that report epidemiological data for lung cancer in Turkey were also searched for meta-analysis.


RESULTS
A total of 25,604 patients were analyzed in the last 2 decades. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 59.4 years, and 92.5% of the patients were males. In the last decade, the rate of squamous cell carcinoma decreased from 61-50%, however, the rate of small cell carcinoma increased from 19-24%, and the rate of adenocarcinoma from 20-26%.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a shift in the male/female ratio in Turkey. The rate of squamous cell carcinoma decreased, however, small cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma increased progressively.
Gonlugur
Ugur
U
Department of Chest Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Onsekiz Mart University, Gogus Hastaliklari Klinigi, Canakkale, Turkey. gonlugur@gmail.com
Gonlugur
Tanseli E
TE
Kaptanoglu
Melih
M
Nadir
Aydin
A
Cinar
Ziynet
Z
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000453:epidemiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology