BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS
As a leading cause of death in the USA, lung and bronchus cancer has claimed the lives of many individuals across the nation.1 However, considerable variability exists regarding risk factors and treatment of lung cancer across each state.2 The authors’ study aimed to explore the epidemiological trends of patients diagnosed with lung and bronchus cancer in Michigan, USA, between 1996–2017, including variables for patient demographics, primary tumor location, stage at diagnosis, and overall survival.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Data was obtained through the Michigan Cancer Surveillance Program (MCSP) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The study was determined to be exempt by the Michigan State University Institutional Review Board and adhered to all ethical guidelines. The team hypothesized that overall survival would increase following the implementation of more inclusive lung screening guidelines in 2013, and that overall survivability would be affected by age, race/ethnicity, and stage.
RESULTS
The data showed that the mean age of diagnosis was 69 years with a median interquartile overall survival of 8 months. Log rank showed no significant difference in each of the time periods. Overall survival was reduced for individuals with an older age at diagnosis, male sex, American Indian heritage, and living in rural or urban areas. Tumor location associated with reduced overall survival included the mainstem bronchus (including the bronchus intermedius), lung base, and overlapping lesions of lung lobes. The presence of distant sites/nodes was associated with reduced overall survivability, and approximately 44.44% of Michigan residents were initially diagnosed at this stage.
CONCLUSION
This data highlight an unexpected trend of reduced overall survivability among Michigan residents diagnosed with lung cancer between the years 1996–2017, and suggest that in addition to tumor, node, and metastasis staging, other factors influence the overall survivability. Consideration of these factors may be helpful as a community outreach tool to help increase early detection and reduce overall mortality.