Cancer of the lungAn in-depth analysis of prognostic factors

Abstract

The prognostic significance of clinicopathologic findings was evaluated in 617 cases of proven lung cancer seen at the San Diego Naval Hospital, from 1954 through 1965. The incidence of each clinicopathologic finding and the associated median survival in months were determined. Powerful prognostic factors were the anatomic extent and the sites of tumor spread. By adjusting for these prognostic factors, it was possible to assess the prognostic significance for other clinicopathologic findings. Age, histopathology, the presence or absence of symptoms, the symptoms of dyspnea, skeletal pain, and anorexia, the presence of acute pneumonia, asthenia, weight loss, pleural effusion, and the involvement of mediastinal and abdominal organs or the central nervous system were strong prognostic factors.