Does sex make a difference in survival of patients undergoing resection for early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)?
OBJECTIVE
To determine if sex associated differences exist in presentation and survival of patients undergoing resection for early stage nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Retrospective review of 2207 patients with Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Summary Stage I, II or III (local or regional disease) patients eligible for surgery, nonsmall cell lung cancer diagnosed and treated in WV between 1993 and 2000, which underwent surgery as a first course of treatment. Data set obtained from the West Virginia Cancer Registry.


RESULTS
1332 male cases and 875 female cases were reviewed. No statistically significant difference was found with mean age of diagnosis (men 66.5 years; women 67.2 years). A greater proportion of women had adenocarcinoma (p < 0.0001), lower grade (p = 0.002), and lower SEER summary stage (p = 0.009). There was no difference in laterality of tumor, 30-day post surgery survival or surgical procedure between men and women. Regression analysis showed a higher hazard ratio was associated with a increasing stage, grade, and those > or =65 years of age while lower hazard ratio was associated with adenocarcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found that stage, grade, age, and histology, but not sex was the significant prognostic indicators of death in five years.
Jubelirer
Steven J
SJ
WVU, USA.
Varela
Nicole L
NL
Welch
Christine A
CA
Emmett
Mary K
MK
D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018426:SEER Program; D012737:Sex Factors; D014903:West Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology