[Evolution of lung cancer in the North of the province of Castellón, Spain, 1993-2002]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the changes in lung cancer incidence, histological type, and survival in patients in the north of the province of Castellón, Spain, during a follow-up period of 10 years, and to compare the findings with other national and international studies.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

All patients diagnosed with lung cancer between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 2002 were included in this prospective, observational study. Disease was confirmed by biopsy or suspected from clinical, radiological, and/or bronchoscopic findings.

RESULTS

In the study period, 271 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer (239 men and 32 women), with a mean (SD) age of 66.8 (11.8) years. The age-adjusted incidence rate standardized to the world population was 20.42 cases per 100,000 population. Smokers or ex-smokers comprised 88.1% of the study population, and 72.6% of patients were over 60 years old. Biopsy confirmation was obtained in 262 cases (96.7%). Squamous cell carcinoma predominated (46.5%) but the proportion of adenocarcinoma increased (23.6%). Surgery was possible in only 22% of the patients. Mean overall 5-year survival was 15.7 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In the north of the province of Castellón, the incidence of lung cancer continues to increase in men but has decreased slightly in women. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type, but the incidence of adenocarcinoma has clearly increased. Overall, survival did not improve during the 10 years of follow up despite advances in treatment.

[Epidemiological study of lung cancer in the northern part of the province of Castellón]

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the incidence and survival of bronchopulmonary carcinoma in the northern part of the Spanish province of Castellón while collecting other epidemiologic data.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective, observational study enrolled all patients residing habitually in northern Castellón with diagnoses of bronchopulmonary carcinoma recorded from 1 January 1993 until 31 December 1997. Enrollment criteria were cytohistologic confirmation of diagnosis or suspicion based on clinical, radiologic and/or bronchoscopic data.

RESULTS

One hundred eighteen patients (100 men, 18 women) were so diagnosed, giving a world population-adjusted incidence of 17.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (men: 31.2; women: 4.5). Smokers or ex-smokers accounted for 84.7% and 74.5% were over 60 years of age. Cytohistologic confirmation was obtained for 117 patients (99%). Epidermoid carcinoma predominated (58%) and surgery was performed in only 23% of the cases. Only one patient was lost to follow-up during the study period. Mean 5-year survival was 7.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

The standardized incidence of bronchopulmonary carcinoma in 1993-1997 in the northern part of Castellón was 17.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (women: 31.2; women: 4.5), with epidermoid carcinoma predominating and a five-year survival rate of 7.6%.