COPD occurrence among thousand of patients with lung tumor

Background: Lung cancer and COPD are important causes of death. It was demonstrated that COPD is a risk factor for lung cancer development, independent of smoking exposure. The aim of the study was a clinical characteristic of patients diagnosed with lung cancer and COPD currently in the era of new recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. Material and Methods: The demographic and clinical data collected retrospectively from a medical histories of the patients diagnosed with lung tumors between years 2016-2022 were analyzed. The diagnosis of lung cancer was confirmed histopatologically and COPD diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms and an irreversible obstruction in spirometry. Results: 982 patients with lung tumor were diagnosed. In 524 primary lung cancer was confirmed, 180 patients of them were diagnosed with COPD. A median age was 70.5 years, and there were 46.1% women in this group. 77.7% of patients were exposed to smoke between 21 and 60 packyears. The majority of patients presented moderate or sever obturation: 56.1% and 31.5% respectively. Lung cancer stage was following: I - 5.65%, II – 3.39%, III – 52.54%, IV – 38.42%. Histological types of lung cancer were as follow: SCLC – 28.9%, ADC – 26.0%, SCC – 29.5%, NOS – 10.6%, other – 5.0%. In 55.8% of patients emphysema in CT scan was revealed. Only 13.3% of patients did not presented any comorbidities. The most common comorbid disease was hypertension (58.9%), followed by heart failure (21.7%), diabetes type II (18.9%) and coronary heart disease (17.2%). 5 year survival rate in this group was 6.25%. Conclusions: COPD in patients with lung cancer is an important and growing clinical problem which requires attention. Many patients had emphysema and comorbidities.