PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Yngvar Nilssen
AU  - Trond Eirik Strand
AU  - Lars Fjellbirkeland
AU  - Kristian Bartnes
AU  - Bjørn Møller
TI  - Lung cancer survival in Norway, 1997–2011: from nihilism to optimism
AID  - 10.1183/13993003.00650-2015
DP  - 2016 Jan 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 275--287
VI  - 47
IP  - 1
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/47/1/275.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/47/1/275.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2016 Jan 01; 47
AB  - We examine changes in survival and patient-, tumour- and treatment-related factors among resected and nonresected lung cancer patients, and identify subgroups with the largest and smallest survival improvements.National population-based data from the Cancer Registry of Norway, Statistics Norway and the Norwegian Patient Register were linked for lung cancer patients diagnosed during 1997–2011. The 1- and 5-year relative survival were estimated, and Cox proportional hazard regression, adjusted for selected patient characteristics, was used to assess prognostic factors for survival in lung cancer patients overall and stratified by resection status.We identified 34 157 patients with lung cancer. The proportion of histological diagnoses accompanied by molecular genetics testing increased from 0% to 26%, while those accompanied by immunohistochemistry increased from 8% to 26%. The 1-year relative survival among nonresected and resected patients increased from 21.7% to 34.2% and 75.4% to 91.5%, respectively. The improved survival remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, stage and histology. The largest improvements in survival occurred among resected and adenocarcinoma patients, while patients ≥80 years experienced the smallest increase.Lung cancer survival has increased considerably in Norway. The explanation is probably multifactorial, including improved attitude towards diagnostic work-up and treatment, and more accurate diagnostic testing that allows for improved selection for resection and improved treatment options.Lung cancer survival in Norway has improved due to improved attention towards diagnostic work-up and treatment http://ow.ly/S5L4j