Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Stage IIIB-IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cases who Received Chemotheraphy

Objective: Prognostic factors which influence survival which are definitive in the advanced stage of lung cancer cases are described. Material and Method: In this study, 193 stage IIIB-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) outpatients who were followed up in our hospital’s oncology department between January 2000 and September 2007 were retrospectively analysed. The effects of demographic, clinical and laboratory findings on survival were investigated.Results: Of the cases, 170 (88.02%) were men, 23(11.92%) were women and mean age was 57.44±9.42 years. Analysis by the Kaplan-Meier method revealed that mean survival was 13.8±10.8 months. A ECOG performance status of (0), younger than 65 age, no comorbid disease and normal LDH levels were found to be significantly important factors for long term survival (p=0.01, 0.003, 0.04, 0.003). Among metastases, bone metastasis was found to be a poor prognostic factor (p=0.01). However, anemia, leucocytosis, smoking status, weight loss and pleural effusion were not prognostic factors for survival. A multivariate analysis by Cox regression method revealed that normal LDH levels (p=0.01), <65 age (p=0.008), zero ECOG performance status (p=0.009) were independent prognostic factors in stage IIIB-IV lung cancer cases.Conclusion: Good ECOG performance status, normal LDH levels and <65 age play important roles in longer survival with advanced non-small cell lung cancer cases.