BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the last decades, variations have been described in the epidemiology of lung cancer. In our study, we have analyzed if changes have occurred in the epidemiology and survival of lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All the cases with the diagnosis of lung cancer having cytohistological confirmation between May 1997 and December 2008 were included. To compare the variables, the study period was divided into three cohorts, respectively including the years 1997-2000, 2001-2004 and 2005-2008. RESULTS: A total of 905 patients, 776 males (85.7%) were included with a mean age (± SD) of 64.4 ± 11.6 years. The number of cases in females went from 11.2% in 1997-2000 to 16.2% in 2005-2008, and adenocarcinoma from 29.3% to 34.5% (P=.2). Survival was associated independently with the performance status, treatment, comorbidity and weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: In our area, there is been an increasing number of cases of lung cancer in females. The histological type of adenocarcinoma has increased and we have observed a slight increase in survival.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the last decades, variations have been described in the epidemiology of lung cancer. In our study, we have analyzed if changes have occurred in the epidemiology and survival of lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All the cases with the diagnosis of lung cancer having cytohistological confirmation between May 1997 and December 2008 were included. To compare the variables, the study period was divided into three cohorts, respectively including the years 1997-2000, 2001-2004 and 2005-2008. RESULTS: A total of 905 patients, 776 males (85.7%) were included with a mean age (± SD) of 64.4 ± 11.6 years. The number of cases in females went from 11.2% in 1997-2000 to 16.2% in 2005-2008, and adenocarcinoma from 29.3% to 34.5% (P=.2). Survival was associated independently with the performance status, treatment, comorbidity and weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: In our area, there is been an increasing number of cases of lung cancer in females. The histological type of adenocarcinoma has increased and we have observed a slight increase in survival.