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K. Imasaka



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    P1.24 - Poster Session 1 - Clinical Care (ID 146)

    • Event: WCLC 2013
    • Type: Poster Session
    • Track: Supportive Care
    • Presentations: 1
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      P1.24-006 - Discussion and analysis of lung cancer among young people at our hospital (ID 767)

      09:30 - 16:30  |  Author(s): K. Imasaka

      • Abstract

      Background
      The incidence of lung cancer among young people has been increasing in recent years. There are many difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease in young people, including the need for social support. Therefore, we attempted to clarify the clinical features of lung cancer in young people based on an observation of the clinical course.

      Methods
      A total of about 600 lung cancer patients visited our hospital during the six-year period from April 2007-March 2013. Out of these, we extracted patients of lung cancer who were under the age of 40, and carried out a retrospective analysis of the data based on the medical records. We summarized the diagnosis, treatment and clinical course of the disease in this study population and then analyzed and discussed the characteristic features.

      Results
      There were a total of 10 cases of lung cancer among patients who were under the age of 40, of which 80% were male and 20% were female, 80% were smokers and 20% were non-smokers. The reasons for the first hospital visit was the presence of clinical symptoms, e.g., chest pain, bloody sputum, etc., in 70% of the patients. On the other hand, the remaining 30% of the patients were asymptomatic at the first visit and had been referred to our hospital based on the detection of abnormalities on the chest x-ray during periodic medical examination. Their performance status at the time of diagnosis was as follows: “0” in 6 cases (60%), “1” in 2 cases (20%), “2” in 1 case (10%), “3” in 1 case (10%), and “4-5”in 0 case (0%). Histologically, 7 cases (70%) were diagnosed as having adenocarcinoma, and 3 cases (30%) as having other subtypes (including unknown); classified by the disease stage, 70% patients had Stage 3A or more advanced cancer. Therefore, radical surgery could be performed in only 30%, of which one case showed pathological stage3B, and developed recurrence. Chemotherapy was administered in 9 cases, and 6 cases received 3rd or more advanced-line chemotherapy. Radiation therapy was administered in 7 cases. The remaining patients received alternative therapy, such as immunotherapy and local intra-arterial injection therapy, which was performed in 3 cases, at another medical institution. Clinical psychologist intervention was needed in 5 cases, all of which showed progression or recurrence.

      Conclusion
      Among young patients with lung cancer, the majority were male and smokers. Most of the patients had some symptoms at the first visit, although the performance status was generally good. There were many patients with adenocarcinoma and advanced cancer, and many patients received 3[rd] line or more advanced-line chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Alternative therapy, off-label in respect of insurance coverage, such as immunotherapy was also employed in many cases. In addition, there were many cases needing clinical psychologist intervention. Thus, there were many situations in which the patients required mental care for themselves and/or for their families. In conclusion, among young people with lung cancer, there were many who required a variety of medical and social interventions, including for the diagnosis and treatment, including palliative care.