Specific features of small cell lung cancer in women: social characteristics, medical history, management and survival. A retrospective study of the 967 cases diagnosed in Bas-Rhin (Eastern France) between 1981 and 1994

Source: Annual Congress 2002 - Thoracic oncology: clinical management

Session: Thoracic oncology: clinical management
Session type: Poster Discussion
Number: 1191

Disease area: Thoracic oncology

Abstract

Lung cancer represents since the early 90's a major public health problem in both sexes. Some data in literature make it clear that specific features can be seen in women lung cancers. To determine if such particularities could be observed in small cell lung cancers (SCLC), we reviewed the medical charts of all consecutive patients diagnosed with SCLC in the French eastern area of Bas-Rhin between 1981 and 1994.
Among the 787 recorded patients (696 men and 91 women) there was no significant difference as far as age and previous vascular, pulmonary and neoplastic history were concerned. But women living in urban environment were more numerous (59.6% vs 46.2%; p=0.017), as well as single, divorced and widows (30.8% vs 16.9%;p=0.007). Women were more frequently nonsmokers (8.8% vs 1.4%;p=0.003) and among smoking women, smoke exposure was inferior to the one reported by men (p=0.0001).
No significant difference could be noted with reference to the presentation of the disease, the degree of extent and metastatic sites. LDH levels were found more frequently elevated in women (p=0.03). Management and diagnosis procedures were similar in both groups except for bone marrow biopsies which were more often performed in men (p=0.004). Women tended to stay in hospital longer than men (p=0.057), especially due to treatment related complications. Survival was also similar (median 8.1 months in men and 7.9 months in women) irrespectively of any adjustment on other prognostic variables.
So we have shown some specific features in woman small cell lung cancer. However, whether they are related to a real difference -genetic and endocrine susceptibility- or more simply to a different exposure to carcinogens remains to be proven.

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Citations should be made in the following way:
B. Mennecier, L. Moreau, M. P. Lebitasy, R. Kessler, G. Pauli, E. Quoix (Strasbourg, France). Specific features of small cell lung cancer in women: social characteristics, medical history, management and survival. A retrospective study of the 967 cases diagnosed in Bas-Rhin (Eastern France) between 1981 and 1994. Eur Respir J 2002; 20: Suppl. 38, 1191

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