Clinical Issues and Treatment of Lung Cancer in Mexico

Abstract

 Retrospective analysis of 101 lung cancer patients treated at the INER [National Respiratory Diseases Institute] in Mexico from January 2006 to October 2007. Objective: Analysis of clinical situation and treatment. Results: The study comprised 59 men and 42 women: 58 % > 60 years old. 14.8% were non-smokers or had no smoking history. 85.2% were heavy smokers with a smoking history above15 packs per year. Eleven patients had one family member with cancer. 86.1% of them were admitted to hospital when the tumor stage was between IIIA and IV. 21 patients of this group had metastasis. 86.1% had an ECOG grade of 0.2. Two analytical parameters were handled: RECIST and the media overall survival. 93 of 101 patients (92%) were treated with chemotherapy: 51 of them (54.7%) with Cisplatine and Paclitaxel, 29 (31.1%) with Cisplatine and Vinorrelbine, and 13 (13.8%) with Cisplatine and Gemcitabine, each one for 2 to 6 cycles. According to RECIST, 6 patients had a complete response, 19 had progressions with distal metastasis, and 68 had partial responses. The median overall survival was of 17.0, 18.4, and 16.1months, respectively. Chirurgic intervention was carried out in 8 patients, lobectomy in 7 patients, and one had a pneumonectomy with resection of mediastinal lymph nodes and adyuvant chemotherapy. Histopathology of the lymph nodes and bronchial section were negative for neoplasia. The disease-free survival was 13 to 25 months in lobectomies and 22 months in the pneumonectomy. The cause of dead could not be specified because they did not continue attending post-treatment control. Conclusion: Lack of Health Education amongst patients and their families was found to be a major cause which prevented a more effective result of the treatment. This study also concludes that a multidisciplinary treatment for lung cancer patients is required.