Abstract

LUNG CANCER IN ADEN, YEMEN

Gamal Abdul Hamid*, Afif Nabhi, Nasser Baom, Shada Yassin, Abha AlGallabi

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cancer becoming an increasingly important cause of premature mortality in developing countries as their populations expands and their lifestyle becomes westernized. The incidence of lung cancer is low in Yemen, but emerging statistics indicate that its incidence is increasing in the last few years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of histopathologically confirmed lung cancer patients who were registered and treated at Aden oncology centre during the period from January 2011 – December 2013. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were studied. There was a preponderance of males (82.5%) as compared to females (17.5%).Smoking history was present in 82.5% of the all patients and 97% of male patients. Adenocarcinoma was observed in 40% followed by squamous cell carcinoma in 37.5%, while 17.5% had small cell carcinoma and 5% undifferentiated large cell carcinoma. The prevalence of adenocarcinoma was higher in non-smokers whereas incidence of squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma was higher among smokers. In this study, most patients (75.0%) presented with an advanced-stage tumor (IIIB or IV). Distance metastasis was seen in 55%. Chemotherapy formed the main treatment modality alone in 90% of patients. The overall survival rate of more than one year was seen in 50%. CONCLUSION: The outcome of lung cancer is poor . The 1-year survival rate for lung cancer has increased. Increased survival is possible if the disease is detected early, treated adequately with multimodality approach. Our findings justify the need to plan and develop effective programs aiming at the control and prevention of the spread of lung cancer.

Keywords: Lung cancer, Smoking, Histopathology.