Management Of Carcinoma Of The Bronchus By Radiotherapy In Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The use of radiotherapy in the management of bronchial carcinoma was evaluated in 106 patients (mean age: 56.6 yrs, s. d. 9.10) with male:female ratio of 2:2.1 who presented at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital 1975 to 1995 with this disease. About two-thirds (61%) of the patients smoked heavily for many years. Cough and chest pain were the most common presenting symptoms with frequencies of 81.1% and 74.5% respectively. Tissue biopsy and cytology and chest radiograph accounted for 63.2% of the methods of diagnosis while the rest was based on clinical impression and chest radiograph.


All cases were advanced and therefore inoperable on presentation but 89% had good symptomatic control following radiotherapy. Less than 7% were alive at 1 year. Chemotherapy did not appear to influence prognosis and survival.


In view of the fact that patients tend to present late preventive measures such as control of tobacco use will be much more effective in reducing the prevalence of carcinoma of the bronchus.


Key Words: Carcinoma, Bronchus, Radiotherapy, Lagos


[J. of Med. & Medical Sci. Vol.1(1) 1999: 26-30]