CLINICAL PROFILE, RADIOLOGICAL, PATHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR MARKERS IN LUNG CANCER PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr.Naveen Ravel; Dr.Vishnu Sreedath

Volume : VIII, Issue : VIII, August - 2019

CLINICAL PROFILE, RADIOLOGICAL, PATHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR MARKERS IN LUNG CANCER PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr. Naveen Ravel, Dr. Vishnu Sreedath

Abstract :

BACKGROUND: Cancer is perhaps one of the biggest challenges faced by modern medicine and its research is rife with challenges as well as opportunities. Carcinoma lung is one of the most common varieties of cancer worldwide more so in India. The changing trends in epidemiology and the varied clinical and radiological presentation are crucial especially for the primary physician. The fact that many cases of carcinoma lung have been falsely diagnosed as TB especially in endemic areas is a case in point. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the epidemiology as well as the clinical and radiological features of various types of lung cancer. Assess the recent trends in the demographic patterns and symptomatology along with its pathological and radiological correlation in our local study population. To assess the prevalence of ALK positivity in adenocarcinoma patients in the study group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an observational study done on patients with an established diagnosis of carcinoma lung. The study is done on patients admitted in General Medicine wards or IMCU of tertiary care centre from a period of January 2013 to August 2016. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Our study composed of 100 patients who were treated in the General Medicine or Medical oncology departments of our hospital for primary lung cancer. In squamous cell carcinoma, 19 of the 25 patients had mass lesion on imaging. 7 showed consolidation and 2 had pleural effusion. Likewise, in adenocarcinoma, 27 patients had a mass lesion and 17 showed collapse consolidation on x-ray or CT of the chest. Likewise, in small cell, large cell and undifferentiated lung carcinomas also mass lesion was the most common radiological finding. Out of 100 patients 38 patients had adenocarcinoma, 25 had squamous cell carcinoma, 8 patients had large cell carcinoma and 9 had small cell variety. 20 patients had undifferentiated lung cancer on histologic examination. CONCLUSION There is a change in the demographic pattern of lung cancer. While smoking still remains the primary risk factor, a significant number of non-smokers are being affected. Though males are more affected, there is a rise in the number of females with the disease. An overwhelming majority of males with the disease were smokers. The mean age of disease onset is also less than what is classically thought to be. Adenocarcinoma is the most common histological type of lung cancer in the population followed by squamous cell carcinoma. More females and non-smokers and those in the younger age group had contracted adenocarcinoma compared to the other subtypes.