Profile of patients with lung cancer at a tertiary care hospital in Nepal: A retrospective analysis

ABSTRACT Background: Cases of lung cancer are increasing in Nepal. Identifying histological types can influence prognosis and survival rates in different types of lung cancer. Objectives: The primary objective of this retrospective study was to provide a comprehensive clinical profile of patients with lung cancer. The secondary objective was to analyze the demographic characteristics of these patients. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the data for 192 patients diagnosed with lung cancer at Purbanchal Cancer Hospital, Birtamode, Nepal registered between January 2020 and December 2023. We categorized the cases into three categories: non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), small-cell lung cancer, and others/not defined. NSCLC was further classified into squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. A univariate analysis outlined patient attributes, histological classifications, stage of cancer, and the treatment received, while bivariate analysis assessed associations using Chi-square tests. Results: We included 192 patients in the study. Of them, 145 (75.5%) had NSCLC, with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma being the most prevalent subtypes. Around 97% (186 patients) were diagnosed at an advanced stage. Only one-third of patients (62 patients, 32.3%) reported a history of smoking, and 90% (173 patients) were over 50 years old. Additionally, one fourth of the patients (43 patients, 22.4%) had hypertension. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy were the most used treatments. Conclusion: NSCLC is the most common histological type, with a higher proportion of patients being non-smokers. This emphasizes the need for further investigations into risk factors. Early detection and tailored interventions are critical for reducing the burden of lung cancer in Nepal.