CORRELATES OF TUMOR SIZE, GENDER, CELL-TYPE, AND METASTASIS OF RESECTED NON-SMALL-CELL LUNG-CANCER AND AGE

The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the relationshi p between tumor volume and age in resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Differences exist in the behavior, growth rate, and metastati c potential of solid tumors in both aged humans and experimental anima l models. Data from 669 cases of NSCLC resected between 1980 and 1992 were reviewed (445 males; 224 females; median age 67 years, range 16-8 6). Measurements of the resected turner in-situ were made in three dim ensions, and these were multiplied to give an estimate of the turner v olume. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationsh ip between the turner volume, age, gender, histological cell type, and TNM nodal score. No direct relationship existed between patient age a nd tumor volume or nodal score. However, there was a significant relat ionship between patient gender and tumor volume, i.e., smaller volume tumors in female patients (p = .02). Considering all variables, two re lational subgroups were identified: younger male patients with large a denocarcinomas and older female patients with small squamous cell carc inomas (p = .05). We conclude that the relationship between tumor volu me and age is complex and dependent on patient gender and tumor cell t ype.