Ventilation in patients with stage IIIB or above lung cancer

To investigate the distribution of lung function and ventilation dysfunction in patients with locally advanced and advanced lung cancer, and the correlation with clinical factors.

A retrospective study was conducted on patients who were discharged from the respiratory department of our hospital and diagnosed with locally advanced (IIIB, IIIC) or advanced (IVA, IVB) lung cancer from October 2013 to October 2020. Demographic information, clinical data, and lung function assessments were recorded, and the proportion and type of ventilation dysfunction and the correlations between them and clinical factors were statistically analyzed.

A total of 130 patients were included. Han nationality accounted for 99.2%, and males accounted for 79.2% of patients. The average age was 68.48±10.77 years old. In terms of the stage of lung cancer, the proportion of locally advanced IIIB/IIIC was 34.6%, and the proportion of advanced IVA/IVB was 65.4%. The lung function results were as follows: forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) was 72.27% (62.35%, 79.60%), FEV1/vital capacity (VC) was 71.35% (61.78%, 79.20%), FEV1 was 1.72±0.64 L, VC was 2.44±0.70 L, and total lung volume (TLC) was 4.41±0.97 L. Obstructive, restrictive, and mixed ventilation dysfunction accounted for 23.1%, 26.9%, 27.7%, respectively, and 93.1% had not received lung function screening or treatment before. A total of 42 cases (32.3%) had moderate or above obstruction or mixed (mainly obstruction) ventilation dysfunction. The most common symptoms were cough (88.1%), expectoration (71.4%), and dyspnea (40.5%). The chi-square test showed that male, ≥70 years old, smoking history, smoking index ≥800 years, accompanied by airway diseases [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/asthma/chronic bronchitis], and computed tomography (CT) with atelectasis accounted for a higher proportion (P<0.05). Logistic regression showed that age (P=0.003), smoking history (P=0.04), atelectasis (P=0.004), and associated airway diseases (P=0.001) were significant related factors.

Some patients with locally advanced or advanced lung cancer have ventilation dysfunction, especially moderate or above obstruction or mixed (mainly obstruction) ventilation dysfunction. For vulnerable populations such as males, the elderly, long-term heavy smokers, patients with airway diseases, or patients with atelectasis on CT, lung function assessment and intervention should be improved to further manage the symptom control and quality of life of patients with this type of lung cancer.