[Tobacco condensate exposure and occupational history in female lung cancer patients]

In a retrospective case-control study on female lung cancer 130 (65%) of 200 cases suffered from a tumor group Kreyberg I and 70 (35%) from a Kreyberg II tumor. Significantly more Kreyberg I cases (75%) than controls (22%) were smokers as well as significantly more Kreyberg I than Kreyberg II cases (29%). There was no difference in the proportion of ex-smokers, but the duration of nonsmoking was significantly shorter in Kreyberg I cases (4 years) than in controls (12 years) and in Kreyberg II cases (9 years). Patients with Kreyberg I (88%) and Kreyberg II (90%) tumors preferred significantly more often high-tar group III (greater than 24 mg/cigarette) cigarettes than controls (63%). Patients with a Kreyberg I tumor differ significantly from controls by longer smoking careers (40 years) and higher daily consumption of group III (18/day) and group I (18/day) cigarettes. Patients with a Kreyberg II tumor had a significant higher consumption (20/day) of group I cigarettes than controls. Female lung cancer patients (74%) more often than controls (64%) reported occupations other than housewives. There were no other significant differences in the occupational patterns between patients and controls.