The incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients

Joanna Maria Jassem; Maciej Bobowicz; Jan Marek Slominski; Ewa Jassem

Vol 6, No 3 (2007)

Original articles

Published online: 2007-11-07

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The incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients

Joanna Maria Jassem, Maciej Bobowicz, Jan Marek Slominski, Ewa Jassem

Advances in Palliative Medicine 2007;6(3):99-102.

Vol 6, No 3 (2007)

Original articles

Published online: 2007-11-07

Abstract

Background and aim. Lung cancer is one of the most common tumours and the cause of cancer-related deaths in European countries. In the past few years, a significant morbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been noticed in this group of patients. Cigarette smoking is the strongest risk factor for both conditions. The palliative care of lung cancer patients is often based solely on the tumour symptoms' management, whereas some patients would benefit from the combined treatment including the treatment for COPD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of COPD in advanced (TNM = IIIB and IV) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.
Material and methods. The study was a retrospective analysis. One hundred four patients (28 women and 76 men, aged from 47 to 74 years, mean: 63.2 years) with advanced NSCLC were included in the study.
Results. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (according to GOLD criteria) was diagnosed in 26 cases (25%), including 1 mild, 17 moderate and 8 with severe or very severe disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was significantly more frequent in squamous cell lung carcinoma in comparison to other types (p = 0.009).
Conclusions. Coexistence of lung cancer and COPD is frequent. Therefore, it is important to consider the treatment for COPD in palliative care of advanced lung cancer patients.