ABSTRACT
Background: Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer. It usually grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer. Objective: To describe clinical characteristics and the TNM staging of non-small cell lung cancer. Subjects and method: It was a prospective study on clinical characteristics and the TNM staging of 53 patients with non-small cell lung cancer in Bach Mai Hospital from January 2005 to June 2005. Results and conclusions: The most common age was over 40, accounting for 92.5%, male/female (2.5/1). 64.2% of cases with smoking history (97.1% for men and 2.9% for women). 79.4% of patients had smoked over 20 years. The concordance of diagnosis between the previous hospitals and Bach Mai hospital was 34.6%. The most common clinical symptoms at the time of diagnosis were chest pain, prolonged cough, haemoptysis, weight lost and pleural effusion syndrome. Basing on the 1997 International Staging System of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, we have found that T4 in 64.2%, N(+) 64.2% and metastasis in 32.1%. IIIB and IV stage in 75.5%, patients with IA to IIIA stages being able to be operated was 24.5% of cases. 92.5% of patients were over 40 years old; male/female: 2.5/1. 79.4 of patients had smoked cigarette over 20 years.