Demographic and other characteristics of small cell lung carcinoma cases: retrospective analysis, single center study

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to review the demographic and other characteristics of our small cell lung cancer cases. METHODS: This is a single-centered, retrospective study. The cases of small cell lung carcinoma were examined at the Medical Oncology Unit between January 2008 and May 2011. RESULTS: All of the patients were male, and the mean age was 57.9±13.3 years. The distribution stage data showed that 12 patients were in the limited stage and 18 were in the common stage. The performance of the patients was good in general: 43% of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status Scale (ECOG-PS) was 1 and 30% of ECOG-PS was 0. When the stage-based performance status was analyzed, a significant difference between the common stage and limited stage was determined (mean ECOG-PS: 0.5-1.3, respectively, p=0.027). With respect to the average age, there was a significant difference between the limited stage and common stage (65.3-53.0, respectively, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: In our study, the ECOG-PS of limited-stage patients was found to be significantly better than of extensive-stage patients. However, the number of patients was insufficient. It was also determined in our study that patients with extensive-stage disease had a significantly low average age.