[The EpicliCP-2003 study: A multicenter epidemiological and clinical study of lung cancer in Spain]

Mortality due to lung cancer in Spain is increasing continuously. The aim of the present study was to collect information on the hospital incidence of lung cancer, as well as information on clinical management, in different regions of Spain.

A prospective observational study of patients diagnosed with lung cancer in 2003 was carried out in 13 centers in 9 autonomous communities. Epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic variables were assessed.

Of a total population of 2,726,601 inhabitants (1 346 483 men and 1 380 118 women), 1064 male and 125 female lung cancer patients were included. The incidence standardized to the world population varied between 42.4/100,000 and 61.8/100,000 in men and between 1.5/100,000 and 8.6/100,000 in women. Overall, 51% were aged over 70 years, and 97.5% of the men and 32% of the women were smokers or ex-smokers. Cytologic or histologic confirmation was obtained for 93.1% of the cases (20.8% of which were small cell lung cancers and 79.2% were non-small cell lung cancers). The main initial symptoms were cough, chest pain, and weight loss. In 13.7%, lung cancer was suspected because of abnormal chest x-ray. The percentage with clinical TNM stages I and II ranged from 6.3% to 26.9%. The most common stage was stage IV in all centers. The percentage of patients undergoing surgery ranged from 2.5% to 20.6%, with a mean of 14.8% (19.9% of whom were patients with non-small cell lung cancer); 27% received palliative treatment only.

The proportion of women suffering from lung cancer increased with respect to previous studies, with notable differences among regions. Despite diagnostic improvements, the percentage of patients undergoing surgery is low, though interregional variation is considerable.