Demographics of Bronchogenic Carcinoma Patients and Frequency of Cell Types

Abstract

Background: Bronchogenic carcinoma can present in many ways. The diagnosis of its different types is important because of its effect on prognosis and management. Geographical and socio-economic factors such as climate, culture, ethnic origin, diet and life style have been noted to influence the occurrence of this disease. We conducted this study to document the frequency of various histological types of bronchogenic carcinoma and correlated it with their demographic characteristics.

Material and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Medicine, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Thirty consecutive histopathologically &/or cytologically confirmed cases of bronchogenic carcinoma were included in the study. These patients were admitted from January 2001 to May 2002. History was taken in detail with emphases on personal particulars, past and present occupation and living conditions. Specimens for histopathological study were collected by transthoracic needle aspiration or bronchoscopy.

Results: Four types of bronchogenic carcinoma were found; squamous cell carcinoma 60%, small cell carcinoma 20%, adenocarcinoma 13.33% and large cell carcinoma 6.66%. Among these, seventeen males and one female patient proved to have squamous cell carcinoma were in the age group between 46-89 years and the majority was from the urban areas. While cases with small cell carcinoma belonged to the age group between 56-74 years, being six in total and all were males; four from urban and two from rural areas. On the other hand patients with adenocarcinoma belonged to the age group 50-89 years, being four in total with three females and one male, with only one female from rural area. In addition we found two city dweller males with large cell carcinoma belonging to the age group of 50-79 years.

Conclusion: Bronchogenic carcinoma in our setup is more frequent beyond the middle age. It is more common in males and urban dwellers. On histological examination, squamous cell carcinoma is the commonest variety followed by small cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is more common in females.