Epidemiological and clinicopathological features of lung cancer in Algeria

Abstract

Purpose: Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and the leading cause of cancer-related death in Algeria. We investigated the clinicopathological characteristics of a group of patients with lung cancer in Eastern Algeria, that might reflect a national landscape. Methods: This retrospective study was performed on 173 histologically proven cases of lung cancer at Benbadis university hospital of Constantine from January 2015 to February 2021. Clinical and pathological variables were investigated based on the available data found in the patient's medical records. Results: Lung cancer showed a male predominance with a sex ratio of 6.5. Majority of our patients (86%) aged greater than 50 years with a median age of 61 years. Histologically, adenocarcinoma was found in over 56.6% of the cases, followed by squamous cell carcinoma with 22.5%, whereas 12.8% were non-NSCLC subtypes. Tobacco smoking was estimated at 79.1% in men. Non-smokers represented over 32.5% of patients, of which 45.1% were female. Most of our patients (79%) have an advanced stage at diagnosis, including 57.3% with metastatic disease. Around 60% of patients underwent chemotherapy, of which 81% was first-line treatment, with a median diagnostic delay of almost 4 months. Conclusion: Lung cancer presents at an early age and advanced stage in Algerian patients. Smoking remains the most important risk factor in men and adenocarcinoma is the predominant histological subtype. Thus, primary prevention, based on tobacco control and screening programs, and access to novel therapies may be the best strategies to reduce lung cancer morbidity and mortality.