Important prognostic factors for the long-term survival of lung cancer subjects in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
This study used a large-scale cancer database in determination of prognostic factors for the survival of lung cancer subjects in Taiwan.


METHODS
Total of 24,910 subjects diagnosed with lung cancer was analysed. Survival estimates by Kaplan-Meier methods. Cox proportional-hazards model estimated the death risk (hazard ratio (HR)) for various prognostic factors.


RESULTS
The prognostic indicators associated with a higher risk of lung cancer deaths are male gender (males versus females; HR = 1.07, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.03-1.11), males diagnosed in later periods (shown in 1991-1994 versus 1987-1990; HR = 1.13), older age at diagnosis, large cell carcinoma (LCC)/small cell carcinoma (SCC), and supportive care therapy over chemotherapy. The overall 5-year survival rate for lung cancer death was significantly poorer for males (21.3%) than females (23.6%). Subjects with squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) and treatment by surgical resection alone had better prognosis. We find surgical resections to markedly increase 5-year survival rate from LCC, decreased risk of death from LCC, and no improved survival from SCC.


CONCLUSIONS
Gender and clinical characteristics (i.e. diagnostic period, diagnostic age, histological type and treatment modality) play important roles in determining lung cancer survival.
Chiang
Tai-An
TA
Department of Medical Technology, College of Medicine and Life Science, Chung-Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan. giantful2@yahoo.com.tw
Chen
Ping-Ho
PH
Wu
Pei-Fen
PF
Wang
Tsu-Nai
TN
Chang
Po-Ya
PY
Ko
Albert Min-Shan
AM
Huang
Ming-Shyan
MS
Ko
Ying-Chin
YC
D000367:Age Factors; D018287:Carcinoma, Large Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012737:Sex Factors; D013624:Taiwan; D013997:Time Factors