Journal List > Tuberc Respir Dis > v.60(3) > 1000924

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Ryu, Lee, Leem, Kim, Lee, Cho, Yoon, Kwak, Lee, Kim, Loh, and Jung: Clinical Charicteristics of Primary Lung Cancer Patients in a Tertiary Hospital
Original Article
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2006; 60(3): 321-329.

Published online: 31 March 2006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2006.60.3.321

Clinical Charicteristics of Primary Lung Cancer Patients in a Tertiary Hospital

Jeong-Seon Ryu1, Hun-Jae Lee2, Jong-Han Leem3, Lucia Kim4, Kyung-Hee Lee5, Jae-Hwa Cho1, Young-Han Yoon6, Seung-Min Kwak1, Hong-Lyeol Lee1, Kwang-Ho Kim6, John-Kyu Loh7, Soo-Kyung Jung8

1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea.

2Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea.

3Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea.

4Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea.

5Department of Diagnostic Radiology, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea.

6Department of Chest Surgery, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea.

7Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea.

8Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Inha University, Incheon, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Jeong-Seon Ryu, M.D., Associate Professor, Pulmonary Division, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Inha University Hospital 7-206, 3-Ga, Shinheung Dong, Jung Gu, Inchon, 400-103, Korea. Phone: 82-32-890-3738, Fax: 82-32-882-6578, jsryu@inha.ac.kr

Received 17 January 2006       Accepted 22 March 2006

Copyright © 2006 The Korean Academy of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

Background

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of lung cancer patients in Korea, where there is a higher number of smokers than in Western countries.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed on 1655 lung cancer patients, who were diagnosed at a university hospital between September 1996 and August 2005. Age, gender, cell types and clinical stage were analysed. Of 941 patients, who responded to a questionnaire at the time of diagnosis, the smoking habits, occupational history, family history of lung cancer in the first-degree relatives, coexisting diseases (diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease), body weight loss, ECOG performance status and presenting symptoms, were examined prospectively. In addition, coexisting diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and active pulmonary tuberculosis were evaluated.

Results

Of the 1655 patients, the male to females ratio was 3.6. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common cancer whereas adenocarcinoma was more common in lifetime nonsmokers or women. 19.9% of the patients were non smokers and 80.1% ever smokers. Since 2000, there was an increase in the incidence of adenocarcinoma with a corresponding decrease in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma. 6.2% of patients were asymptomatic. A coincident diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, active pulmonary tuberculosis, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was made in: 44.1%, 22.2%, 10.7%, 3.9%, and 1.6% of patients, respectively. A positive family history of lung cancer in the first-degree relatives was identified in 4.4% of patients. An occupational history relevant to lung cancer was identified in 12.2% of patients.

Conclusion

There is a high proportion of cigarette smokers in Korean lung cancer patients. The most common cell type was squamous cell carcinoma. However, a more detailed, prospective study of the clinical characteristics will be needed to better characterize lung cancer in Korea.

Keywords: Lung cancer, Clinical characteristics, Symptom, Smoking

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Age distribution and cell types according to gender in 1655 patients of lung cancer
trd-60-321-i001
Table 2
Smoking habits according to gender in 941 patients of lung cancer responded to the questionnaire.
trd-60-321-i002
Table 3
Annual trends of clinical characteristics of 1655 patients of lung cancer
trd-60-321-i003
Table 4
Presenting symptoms at the time of diagnosis in the patients responded to the questionnaire
trd-60-321-i004
Table 5
Smoking habits and gender according to cell type in the patients responded to the questionnaire
trd-60-321-i005
Table 6
Coexisting diseases in the patients of lung cancer
trd-60-321-i006
Table 7
Clinical characteristic of forty patients having family history in first degree relative among the patients responded to the questionnaire
trd-60-321-i007
Table 8
Occupational relationship in lung cancer patients
trd-60-321-i008

*International Agency for Research on Cancer, +polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

Notes

This study was supported by INHA university Research Grant (INHA)

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Jae-Hwa Cho
https://orcid.org/http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3432-3997

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