Sex Differences in Overall Survival Among Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Across Clinical Stages: A Population-Based SEER Study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Sex-based disparities in cancer outcomes have gained increasing attention in women's health research. We examined the relationship between sex and overall survival (OS) among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with particular emphasis on the survival advantage observed in women across different clinical stages and treatment settings. Sex-related differences in cancer outcomes have become an important focus in oncology and women's health research. This study aimed to investigate the association between sex and overall survival (OS) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with particular attention to the observed survival advantage in women across clinical stages and treatment contexts. METHODS: A total of 129,864 patients diagnosed with NSCLC were identified, including 78,460 men and 51,404 women. Demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, tumor features, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes were compared between sexes. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and stage-stratified Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate overall survival differences between female and male patients. RESULTS: < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women with NSCLC exhibit a significant and independent survival advantage over men across clinical stages, regardless of chemotherapy status, particularly among patients older than 45 years. These findings highlight the importance of considering sex in prognostic assessment and support further investigation into factors contributing to survival differences in NSCLC.