CARCINOMA LUNG AMONG SOUTH INDIAN FEMALE PATIENTS: A SINGLE INSTITUTE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY ..

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Dr. C. Sanjeeva Kumari,
Department of Radiation Oncology,
M. N. J. Institute of Oncology & Regional
Cancer Centre, Hyderabad-500004,
Telangana, India.
E-mail: cskumari62@gmail.com
             mnjadi1962@yahoo.com
             johnwinklemeddia@yahoo.com
             surya_aparna@yahoo.com

Abstract: Introduction: Lung cancer is the major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer cause. The data on Indian female lung cancer patients is very sparse. So the aim of our study was to analyze the epidemiology and clinical behavior of lung cancer in female patients. Methods: A total of 244 female lung cancer patients treated at MNJIO/RCC from 2010 to 2014 were evaluated retrospectively for the epidemiology and clinical behavior. Results: The median age at presentation is 56 years and majority were post-menopausal. Majority of the patients were non-smokers (75%). ECOG PS 0,1,2,3 and 4 was seen in 0.55%, 12.15%, 33.14%, 44.19% and 9.94% of the patients respectively. NSCLC was seen in about 80% of the patients. Among the NSCLC, adenocarcinoma was seen on 61%). The TNM stage at presentation was stage II, III and IV in 1%, 6% and 92% of the patients respectively. Most common site of metastasis was pleura and malignant pleural effusion (57%) followed by bone metastasis (24%). Majority of the patients were stage IV and treated with palliative intent (77%). Among patients treated with chemotherapy only 14% completed planned treatment. But among patients planned with radical CT and RT, 75% completed treatment. At the time of conclusion of the study only 13 (7.18%) were alive and on follow-up. Discussion & Conclusion: Carcinoma lung in the female South Indian patients is similar in the mean age at presentation to other studies from North India. Majority of the patients in our study were non-smokers, much higher than other studies. NSCLC was common, with adenocarcinoma as the most common subtype. The trend of a shift from squamous cell carcinoma to adenocarcinoma mentioned in western population is confirmed in our study. Pattern of metastases is slightly different among Indian female lung cancer patients, with majority having metastasis to pleura or malignant pleural effusion. In our study majority had a poor ECOG PS and advanced disease and more patients would benefit with best supportive care rather than CT. But patients with early disease can tolerate the aggressive treatment well.

Keywords: Carcinoma lung; female; India, epidemiology; histology; metastasis.