Diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in Shanghai--an analysis of present status
Liao, M.L.
Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi 14(3): 228-230
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-3766 PMID: 1396066 Document Number: 396510
The status of diagnosis and treatment of lung cancers as discovered in one year's interval in the Shanghai population is presented. A total of 940 lung cancers was detected from inhabitants 35-64 years of age, with a male-female ratio of 1.8:1. Pathology showed 35.7% adenocarcinoma and 35.1% squamous cell carcinoma. There was a predominance of adenocarcinoma (47.6%) in the female and squamous cell carcinoma (44.6%) in the male. Most (68.6%) of the lesions detected were already advanced in contrast to 14.7% of Stage I disease. The necessity of the doctor's vigilance was demonstrated by the fact that 23.3% of patients was seen by the doctor within one month after the presenting symptom and 44.5% of them had their diagnosis made within one month after their first hospital visit. The treatment consisted of surgery for 33.3%, chemotherapy for 35%, traditional Chinese medicine for 20% and symptomatic management for 9.7% of patients. As only 55.8% Stage I patients was treated by surgery, the protocol of treatment seemed to be improperly biased. Adequate training of the health workers was shown by the fact that 79.7% of these patients was confirmed by pathology and/or cytology and most of the Stage I lesions were diagnosed outside the hospital.