Lung Cancer in Patients who Presented with Lung Nodules or Lung Masses at Chest Clinic, Phrae Hospital 2013-2016

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer is the most common cancers in the world.1-2 The symptoms often do not appear until the disease is advanced stage and the prognosis is often poor. Prevalence of lung cancer was high in the northern part of Thailand due to smoking risk and seasonal air pollution.3 Symptoms of lung cancer include coughing, unexplained
weight loss, shortness of breath and chest pain.4 There are 2 major histological types of primary lung cancer, about 85% are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which usually grows and spreads slowly, and about 15% small cell lung cancer (SCLC) which is fast growing and can spread quickly.5 There has been no previous study to evaluate prevalence of lung cancer in patients who presented with lung nodules or masses at Phrae Hospital.
Objective: The primary aim of this study was to find the prevalence of lung cancer in patients who presented with lung nodules or lung masses and underwent bronchoscopy from 2013-2016 at the chest clinic of Phrae Hospital and the other aims were to find the risk factors and risk associated lung cancer, type of lung cancer and treatment.
Methods: Observational cross sectional study was carried out from November 2013 to June 2016 at the chest clinic of Phrae Hospital. Patients of both sexes whose age was more than 18 years who had lung nodules or lung masses from CXR or chest CT scan and underwent bronchoscopy with transbronchial pulmonary biopsy, which had final pathology reports were enrolled. All data were collected from OPD cards and computer based database and were
completely recorded in case record form.
Results: In total 100 patients who presented with lung nodules or lung masses from CXR or chest CT scan with were enrolled in this study. Seventeen patents were excluded and 83 patients met inclusion criteria and entered into the study. There were 57 male patients (68.7%) and 26 female patients (31.3%). There were 67 smoking patients (80.7%)
and 16 non smoking patients (19.3%).The prevalence of lung cancer in patients who presented with lung nodules or lung masses at the chest clinic of Phrae Hospital was 51.8% (41.8-61.8; 95%CI). Smoking was a significant risk factor for lung cancer in this study p-value = 0.031, RR= 3.698 (1.069-12.795; 95%CI) and 88.37% of those who had NSCLC
while 11.63% were SCLC. Most patients in lung cancer group were treated with chemotherapy, 28 patients (65.1%).
Conclusion: Prevalence of lung cancer among patients who presented with lung nodules or lung masses at the chest clinic of Phrae Hospital was 51.8%. Smoking was a significant risk factor for lung cancer. The basic information from this study might be beneficial to physicians for lung cancer management and performing lung cancer study in the future.