Lung cancer in never smokers. A survival analysis in a radon prone area

Abstract

Introduction: Lung cancer is the first cause of cancer death in the world.In Spain up to 20% of lung cancer cases are diagnosed in never smokers.

Objective: The aim of our study is to analyze lung cancer survival in never smokers in Galicia(Spain),a radon prone area.

Material and Methods: Multicentre Hospital-based Case-control study (Study LCRINS-Lung Cancer Risk in Never Smokers),with 8 hospitals taking part.Cases:all consecutive lung cancer cases diagnosed in never smokers.Controls:Never smokers undergoing non-oncologic surgery. Recruitment:Jan-2011 to Dec-2013.A radon detector(alpha track) was placed in the bedroom of each participant for at least 3months.In cases, time of follow up and survival was analyzed by review of clinical records.

Results: 218 cases(80.7% women) were included.Most frequent type was adenocarcinoma(77.7%),5% SCLC.Stages at diagnosis:IV:53.5%,IIIB:5%,IIIA:11%,II:5%,I:11.6%.Median survival:13months(ICR:6.2-22.6).162 cases had a radon measurement at home:34,6% were exposed to>200Bq/m³.No differences in survival by gender or radon exposure.Survival by TNM Stage is shown in Table 1. Table 2 shows survival by histologic type.

Conclussions: Lung cancer survival in never smokers is poor.The lowest survival was seen in squamous carcinoma.Residential radon concentration doesn´t seem to influence survival.