[Age associated survival rate in non small cell lung cancer].
BACKGROUND
Worldwide, lung cancer is the leading cause of death due to cancer. Non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes 70% of cases. Clinical course and survival differ depending of age at diagnosis


OBJECTIVE
Determine the epidemiology and survival rate of NSCLC associated with age of onset of the disease.


METHODS
We carried out a retrospective study between January 1993-January 2007 and included patients with confirmed NSCLC. Three groups were included: group 1: < 49 yrs, group 2: 50-69 yrs, group 3: > 70 yrs. Age, ECOG, comorbidity, family background, smoking, clinical stage, histology, metastatic sites, treatment and overall survival were analyzed. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive methods, Kruskall-Wallis, ANOVA, chi-2, Student's T-test and Kaplan-Meier tests.


RESULTS
183 patients, 23 (12.6%) < 49 years, 108 (59%) from group 2 and 52 cases (28.4%) > 70 yrs. Median age was: 43.2, 61.2 and 75.6 yrs (p < 0.05), respectively. The majority were women (56.4%) in group 1, p= 0.036. Comorbidity: 17.4%, 55.5% and 76.9%, p= 0.000. 52.5% smokers, 87% and 62.9%, p= 0.009. Symptoms included: cough (38.9%, 25%, 43.6%), thoracic pain (33.3%, 41.3%, 30.8%) and dyspnea (33.3%, 16.3%, 38.5%), p > 0.05. Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent type (78.2%, 63.9% and 54.5%). Stage IIIB was observed among 17.4% of patients studied, 23.1%, 23.1% and stage IV 52.2%, 44.4%, 50%, respectively. Median overall survival in stages I and II was 21 months, 18 months in stage IIIA (p > 0.05). Stages IIIB-IV the median overall survival was 11, 8.5 and 4 months respectively (p= 0.034).


CONCLUSIONS
Younger patients displayed a more aggressive disease course yet also displayed a higher survival rate. Patients over 70 years have a higher incidence of comorbidity and ECOG 2.
Serrano-Olvera
Alberto
A
Departamento de Oncologia Médica, Centro Médico ABC, México D.F. serranoolvera@yahoo.com.mx
Gerson
Raquel
R
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate