Epidemiological study of lung cancer in the northern part of the province of Castellon (Spain)

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence and survival of bronchopulmonary carc inoma in the northern part of the Spanish province of Castellon while colle cting other epidemiologic data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, observational study enrolled all pa tients residing habitually in northern Castellon with diagnoses of bronchop ulmonary carcinoma recorded from 1 January 1993 until 31 December 1997. Enr ollment criteria were cytohistologic confirmation of diagnosis or suspicion based on clinical, radiologic and/or bronchoscopic data. RESULTS: One hundred eighteen patients (100 men, 18 women) were so diagnose d, giving a world population-adjusted incidence of 17.4 cases per 100,000 i nhabitants (men: 31.2; women: 4.5). Smokers or ex-smokers accounted for 84. 7% and 74.5% were over 60 years of age. Cytohistologic confirmation was obt ained for 117 patients (99%). Epidermoid carcinoma predominated (58%) and s urgery was performed in only 23% of the cases. Only one patient was lost to followup during the study period. Mean 5-year survival was 7.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The standardized incidence of bronchopulmonary carcinoma in 19 93-1997 in the northern part of Castellon was 17.4 cases per 100,000 inhabi tants (women: 31.2; women: 4.5), with epidermoid carcinoma predominating an d a five-year survival rate of 7.6%.