Changes in the Lung Cancer Morphology During 10-Year Period in Lithuania: A Single Institution Expierence

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. Over the past years, the frequency of adenocarcinoma has increased, while, squamous cell carcinoma decreased. The aim of the study was to investigate histologic types and other clinical characteristics of patients with lung cancer during 10-year period. Methods: A retrospective review of 479 patients with lung cancer diagnosed histologically or cytologically in Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics. The data was collected from 1998- 1999 years - period 1 and 2008-2009 years - period 2. Results: In period 1 were 261 cases: 40 female (15.3%), 221 male (84.7%) and stage I 22(8.4%), stage II 31(11.9%), stage III 125(47.9%), stage IV 83(31.8%) and in period 2 were 218 cases: 25 female (11.5%), 193 male (88.5%) and stage I 21 (9.6%), stage II 24 (11%), stage III 99 (45.4%), stage IV 74 (34%); (p>0.05). In period 2 patients were older than in period 1 patients at the time of diagnosis (68.23±4.98 vs 62.35±5.34 yrs, respectively, p<0.05). Histological types were: small cell carcinoma 55 (21.1%), NSCLC 206 (78.9 %): squamous cell carcinoma 148 (71.8%), adenocarcinoma 24 (11.7%), large cell carcinoma 1 (0.5%), NOS 33 (16.0%) in period 1 and small cell carcinoma 43 (19.8 %), NSCLC 175 (80.2%): squamous cell carcinoma 6 (38.3%), adenocarcinoma 13 (7.4%), large cell carcinoma 6 (3.4%), NOS 89 (50.9%) in period 2; (p<0.05). Conclusion: During 10-year period NOS and large cell carcinoma frequency increased while squamous cell carcinoma decreased. Sex and stage distribution did not changed during 10-years period.