Lung cancer in women: age, smoking, histology, performance status, stage, initial treatment and survival. Population-based study of 20 561 cases

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Abstract
Background: The community-based cancer registry was set up and results were analysed to assess differences in clinicopathological parameters between women and men. Patients and methods: The Pulmonary Outpatient Departments supplied data on 20 561 lung cancer patients diagnosed in Poland from 1995 to 1998. Data regarding demographics, smoking, histology, treatment and survival were obtained. Results: There were 2875 women and 17 686 men with lung cancer. Women were younger than men (60.02 versus 62.18 years; P P P = 0.05). Also, men with adenocarcinoma and SCLC were younger than men with squamous cancer (60.6 and 60.2 versus 62.3 years; P = 0.05). Squamous cancer was the predominant type of lung cancer both in women (32.5%) and men (55.2%). However, SCLC (26.6% versus 19.9%: P P P P P 50 years at diagnosis and male gender were significant independent negative prognostic factors. Conclusions: Lung cancer was six times more frequent in men than in women. Women with lung cancer were younger than men and smoked less intensively. Over-representation of adenocarcinoma and SCLC was observed in the women. Women with lung cancer had a better prognosis than men.