Bronchogenic carcinoma in Olmsted County, 1935-1979

The incidence rates of bronchogenic carcinoma based upon 414 cases that occurred in Olmsted County, Minnesota, over a period of 45 years are described. Histologic preparations were available for 97% of cases and were reviewed by one pathologist. The overall average annual age-adjusted rates per 100,000 person-years for the most recent 5 years were 45.6 and 14.0 for men and women, respectively. Squamous cell carcinoma was most common among men and adenocarcinoma was the most common cell type among women. Incidence rates for women have risen to approximately those of men 30 years ago, whereas the incidence for men in the last 5 years has ceased to increase. Age-specific rates show increases for women in all age groups 55 years and older, and for men 65 years and older, whereas the incidence in men younger than 65 years has declined. Survival for 5 years is best for women for all cell types except small cell carcinoma, and is essentially unchanged from the earlier 40-year report.