폐암의 임상적 고찰

Clinical Evaluation of the Lung Cancer

We observed 82 cases of primary lung cancer clinically and statistically, which had been experienced at the dept. of thoracic surgery, Chonnam University Hospital, during the period of 13 years from 1964 to 1967. The results obtained were as follows: Peak incidence of age was from 5th decade to 6th decade, and the ratio of male to female was 3: 1. The frequency of lung cancer was higher in the heavy smoker than in the lighter smoker, and undifferentiated carcinoma showed low resectability in spite of the shorter clinical duration. Major symptoms were coughing and chest tightness & pain, especially coughing was initial symptom in the majority of patients. Of the 82 cases, operation was performed in the 32 cases [39%], but resection was possible in the 22 cases [27%]. The delaying factors led patients to an inoperable stage were physician’s misdiagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma due to non-specific symptoms and signs of the patients, old age patients were dependence on herb medicine, and poor economical condition of the patients in our region especially. Basic conditions of treatment in lung cancer were early detection & early surgery, so, chest P-A would be checked per 3 to 6 months interval associated with sputum cytology in the smoker over 45 age routinely.