METHODS
This is a single-centered, retrospective study. The cases of
small cell lung carcinoma were examined at the Medical Oncology
Unit between January 2008 and May 2011.
RESULTS
All of the patients were male, and the mean age was 57.9±13.3
years. The distribution stage data showed that 12 patients were
in the limited stage and 18 were in the common stage. The
performance of the patients was good in general: 43% of Eastern
Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status Scale
(ECOG-PS) was 1 and 30% of ECOG-PS was 0. When the
stage-based performance status was analyzed, a significant
difference between the common stage and limited stage was
determined (mean ECOG-PS: 0.5-1.3, respectively, p=0.027).
With respect to the average age, there was a significant difference
between the limited stage and common stage (65.3-53.0,
respectively, p=0.01).
CONCLUSION
In our study, the ECOG-PS of limited-stage patients was found
to be significantly better than of extensive-stage patients.
However, the number of patients was insufficient. It was also
determined in our study that patients with extensive-stage disease
had a significantly low average age.
Keywords: Stage; small cell lung carcinoma; performance status; ECOG-PS; age
