The increasing number of lung cancer patients and continuously poor results of treatment make us intensify the prophylactic action. But it needs more in-depth epidemiological examinations to select ...the groups of inhabitants of the greatest lung cancer risk. Next, the set of carcinogenic factors, specific to each group and conditions influencing the lung cancer development ought to be recognised. These are the reasons for epidemiological examinations in regions of increased lung cancer incidence. The epidemiological examinations in 1 383 lung cancer patients were undertaken. All these patients were treated - in hospitals of the Wloclawek province - between 1986-1995. The lung cancer morbidity dependence upon the gender, age, family burden of cancer, place of living, cigarette smoking habit, education, work and occupation was assessed. It was established - that in the analysed group 60% of lung cancer patients were men over 60.8% of patients were women, about 96% were smokers and among them more than 60% persons smoked over 20 cigarettes a day. In 21% of patients, lung cancer in relatives was seen, significantly more frequently in adenocarcinoma and anaplastic small cell carcinoma patients. 82% of lung cancer patients were low - educated blue collar workers. The lung cancer incidences was significantly higher in villagers, working in farms. The morbidity in that group was comparable to drivers and mechanics of cars only. In the province of Wloclawek, persons of increased lung cancer risk include: poorly qualified blue collar workers, addicted to cigarette smoking. In that group lung cancer is significantly more frequent among in villagers working in farms, drivers and car mechanics and chemical industry workers. In conclusion it would be stressed, that in our area, persons of high lung cancer risk are heavy smoking men, of low socio-economic status, subjected to carcinogenic factors in the environment.
The unsatisfactory effects and toxity of anticancer chemotherapy in lung cancer patients lead to the opinion that chemical cytotoxic treatment may worsen the quality of life more than the neoplasm ...itself. That was the rationale of the examinations of hematologic side effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. The aim of these examinations was: establish the intensity of hematologic side effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. Material and method: in 309 lung cancer patients the intensity of hematologic side effects of chemotherapy was assessed. The intensity of lesions was estimated in 5 degree WHO scale. The intensity of side effects was analysed in relation with the age, gender, drug combination, number of therapeutic cycles, results of treatment, cellular type and stage of cancer. The results: in 93% of patients hematologic disorders after chemotherapy were seen. In more than 90% of patients there was neutropenia, which included in 30% agranulocytosis with infections. In these patients, the intensive bone marrow stimulation and antibiotic treatment was necessary. In about 80% of patients anaemia was seen. In 17% of patients anaemia was severe, and anticancer treatment had to be terminated. In 50% of patients, the number of platelets was decreased, and in 9% of patients the bleedings occured. The dependence of hematologic side effects of chemotherapy upon the gender and cellular type of cancer was not established. But there was very close dependence on the age, the drug combinations, number of cytostatic cycles and stage of cancer.
The lack of publicated data on the side effects of the most commonly used combinations of antineoplasmatics drugs in lung cancer patients focused our attention on this problem. The aim of the study ...was the evaluation of number and intensity of neurologic side effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. Material and method: in 309 lung cancer patients the frequency and intensity of side effects of combined chemotherapeutic regimes was assessed. The intensity of side effects of chemotherapy in accordance to 5 degree WHO scale was estimated. The symptoms of cerebral and peripheral nervs lesions were measured in above mentioned scale. In all patients the state of consciousness was assessed: alert, transient lethargy, somnolence <50% of walking hours, somnolent >50% hours, coma. Peripheral nervs: none, paresthesias and/or decreased tendon reflexes, severe patesthesias and/or mild weakness, marked motor loss, paralysis. The dependence of intensity of side effects of chemotherapy on age, cellular type and stage of cancer, the drug combination and effects of treatment was examined. The results: The neurologic side effects of chemotherapy in more than 50% of patients were seen. Mostly there were disturbances of cosciousness, including in 4% coma. In 45% of patients lesions of peripheral nervs were observed. Intensity of neurologic side effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients was dependent on the drug combinations, age, stage of cancer and results of treatment. In older patients, in advanced cancer and uneffective treatment the toxity of applied chemotherapy was greater. The toxity of chemotherapy was also dependent on the drug combinations.
The fact, that digestive tract toxicity of chemotherapy to is very high, and malnutrition, bad biological state, the gastrointestinal lesions and other coexisting diseases enlarges it, made us to ...examine the side effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. The additional motivation for these examinations was lack of publications in that matter. The aim of presented examinations was to establish the real danger of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. Material and method: in 309 lung cancer patients, the number and intensity of gastrointestinal side effects of chemotherapy was assessed. There was established intensity of nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, oral lesions and SGOT/SGPT blood level. The intensity of side effects of chemotherapy in 5 degree WHO scale was estimated. The intensity of side effects of chemotherapy in dependence on the age, cellular type and stage of cancer, the dose and drugs combinations as well as on the results of therapy was analysed. The results: in about 80% of lung cancer patients after chemotherapy the gastrointestinal side effects were seen. There was established that, the number and intensity of side effects of chemotherapy was dependent upon the age, the doses and drugs combinations. The number and intensity of side effects of chemotherapy with age, and dose of drugs was growing. It concerns especially to Cisplatin, Vepesid and 5-Fluprouracil. The toxicity of chemotherapy upon the results of treatment was dependent. In ineffective chemotherapy the number and intensity of side effects was growing.
