Survival and Factors Associated with Mortality among Patients with Lung Cancer in Northeastern Thailand

Background: Lung cancer presents a significant global health challenge, with its incidence and mortality rates remaining high. This study aimed to investigate survival rates and factors contributing to mortality among lung cancer patients in rural northeastern Thailand. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at Roi Et Hospital in rural northeastern Thailand. The study included 130 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients between March 1, 2015, and October 31, 2017. All participants were interviewed and followed up for vital status until death or the end of the study on December 31, 2019. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: Over 1,462 person-months of follow-up, 113 participants died (86%, 95% CI: 79.86-91.77), yielding an incidence rate of 7.73 deaths per person-month (95% CI: 6.37–9.29). The overall median survival time was 5.07 months (95% CI: 1.60-19.30), with survival rates at 3, 6 months, and 1, 2, and 3 years of 72.31%, 46.15%, 36.02%, 19.13%, and 11.33%, respectively. Multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards regression model identified local invasion (Adjusted Hazard Ratio [AHR] = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.13–2.55) and chemotherapy (AHR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.01–2.40) as factors associated with higher mortality rates after adjustment for covariates. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the critical need for intensive palliative care interventions and quality-of-life enhancements from the early stages of diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer patients, ensuring comprehensive and optimal end-of-life care.