title: Important prognostic factors for the long-term survival of lung cancer subjects in Taiwan.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Technology, College of Medicine and Life Science, Chung-Hwa University of Medical Technology, Tainan, Taiwan. giantful2@yahoo.com.tw
authors.forename: Tai-An
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Ping-Ho
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Pei-Fen
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Tsu-Nai
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Po-Ya
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Albert Min-Shan
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Ming-Shyan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ying-Chin
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: 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