2024 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) - Posters-P2.04B.12 Respiratory Function as a Prognostic Factor for Lung Cancer in Screening and General Populations

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The study investigates respiratory function as a prognostic factor for lung cancer survival in both a general population and a high-risk screening population. Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with survival rates varying widely depending on multiple factors including age, tumor stage, and comorbidities. However, these factors do not fully explain the variations in survival rates. This study focuses on the role of spirometry, specifically the percentage of predicted FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) and the FEV1/FVC ratio (forced vital capacity), as potential prognostic factors.<br /><br />Participants were drawn from two sources: the UK Biobank, a large population cohort, and the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), which focused on heavy smokers. Lung cancer diagnoses were tracked using mortality data and death certificates. The analysis employed Cox proportional hazards models to assess how respiratory function affected survival, adjusting for variables like age, sex, smoking status, and cancer stage.<br /><br />Findings show that impaired lung function correlates with poorer survival in the general population (UK Biobank), evidenced by lower hazard ratios for individuals with better lung function metrics. Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was linked to worse outcomes compared to those without COPD. However, the high-risk screening group (NLST) did not show statistically significant associations, although decreased lung function tended to predict poorer outcomes.<br /><br />The study concludes that assessing respiratory function can be clinically valuable in predicting lung cancer prognosis in the general population, suggesting a role for personalized cancer management. The findings stress the need for further research to validate respiratory function's prognostic value, particularly in high-risk groups.

Asset Subtitle

Kiera Murison

Meta Tag

Speaker Kiera Murison

Topic Screening & Early Detection

Keywords

respiratory function

lung cancer survival

spirometry

FEV1

FEV1/FVC ratio

UK Biobank

National Lung Screening Trial

COPD

Cox proportional hazards model

personalized cancer management