Immune checkpoint expression as prognostic biomarker candidates in non-small cell lung carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Cancer immunotherapy has had an important role in oncologic therapeutics for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using checkpoint inhibitors. We will explore the possible prognosis biomarker candidates such as: soluble OX40 (sOX40), OX40L (sOX40L), Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family-related receptor (GITR), and their ligand (GITRL), 4-1BB or tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 9 (TNFRS9) and inducible T cell co-stimulator (ICOS) in peripheral blood of NSCLC patients. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were diagnosed with advanced NSCLC between January 2019 and March 2020. RESULTS: High sOX40 and low s4-1BB levels in smokers compared non-smoker NSCLC patients. Lower sOX40L levels were found in the male than female (p < 0.05). High sOX40 and sGITRL in stage III compared to the stage IV (p < 0.05). With follow-up at 21.4 months, 44.1% and 91.1% were alive in the sGITRhigh and sGITRlow groups, respectively (p = 0.02), and 73.3% and 27.7% were alive in the sGITRLhigh and sGITRLlow groups, respectively (p = 0.02). At 22 months, 38.7% and 92.3% were alive in the sOX40Lhigh and sOX40Llow groups, respectively (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: sGITR, sGITRL, and sOX40L levels were potential prognostic biomarkers and could have an important role as new targets of immunotherapy in NSCLC patients. sGITR, sGITRL, sOX40L, and sOX40 levels were associated with smoking, sex, stage, and age in NSCLC.

Risk factors for death and illness severity in vaccinated versus unvaccinated COVID-2019 inpatients: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical profile of COVID-19 inpatients who were vaccinated prior to hospitalization and to compare the risk factors for death and the 28-day survival rate of between those inpatients vaccinated with one, two, or three doses and unvaccinated COVID-19 inpatients. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study involving COVID-19 patients admitted to a referral hospital in the city of Recife, Brazil, between July of 2020 and June of 2022. RESULTS: The sample comprised 1,921 inpatients, 996 of whom (50.8%) were vaccinated prior to hospitalization. After adjusting the mortality risk for vaccinated patients, those undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) had the highest mortality risk (adjusted OR [aOR] = 7.4; 95% CI, 3.8-14.1; p < 0.001), followed by patients > 80 years of age (aOR = 7.3; 95% CI, 3.4-15.4; p < 0.001), and those needing vasopressors (aOR = 5.6; 95% CI, 2.9-10.9; p < 0.001). After adjusting the mortality risk for all patients, having received three vaccine doses (aOR = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03-0.11; p < 0.001) was the most important protective factor against death. There were progressive benefits of vaccination, reducing the frequency of ICU admissions, use for IMV, and death (respectively, from 44.9%, 39.0% and 39.9% after the first dose to 16.7%, 6.2% and 4.4% after the third dose), as well as significant improvements in survival after each subsequent dose (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Vaccines were effective in reducing illness severity and death in this cohort of COVID-19 inpatients, and the administration of additional doses conferred them with accumulative vaccine protection.

Epidemiology of laryngeal cancer in Brazil: Historical data from 2000 to 2019.

INTRODUCTION: To determine the incidence, morbidity, and mortality rate of laryngeal cancer in two decades and its epidemiological, clinical, and histological characteristics by sex in Brazil. METHODS: This ecological study used three reliable sources of secondary data: population- and hospital-based cancer registries and the national mortality database. All data available from 2000 to 2019 were considered. RESULTS: The incidence of male laryngeal cancer decreased from 9.20 to 4.95 per 100,000 from 2000 to 2018, while mortality slightly decreased from 3.37 to 3.30 per 100,000 from 2000 to 2019. In the same period, the female incidence decreased from 1.26 to 0.48 per 100,000; however, mortality slightly increased from 0.34 to 0.36 per 100,000. Of 221,566 individuals with head and neck cancer, 27 % presented laryngeal cancer. The median age was 61 years (54-69), and most individuals were male (86.6 %), smokers (66.2 %), diagnosed with locally advanced cancer (66.7 %), and squamous cell carcinoma as the main histological type (93.2 %). Male tended to be older (p < 0.001), white (p < 0.001), smokers (p < 0.001), and present late treatment initiation (p < 0.001) and early death (p < 0.001) compared with female. CONCLUSION: The male laryngeal cancer affected mainly at productive age but with a decreased incidence, probably due to a reduction in smoking habit. However, mortality did not change, which may be explained by the late diagnosis and lack of access to radiotherapy.

Risk factors for death and illness severity in vaccinated versus unvaccinated COVID-2019 inpatients: a retrospective cohort study / Fatores de risco para óbito e gravidade da doença em pacientes internados com COVID-19 vacinados e não vacinados: estudo de coorte retrospectivo

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the clinical profile of COVID-19 inpatients who were vaccinated prior to hospitalization and to compare the risk factors for death and the 28-day survival rate of between those inpatients vaccinated with one, two, or three doses and unvaccinated COVID-19 inpatients. Methods: This was a retrospective observational cohort study involving COVID-19 patients admitted to a referral hospital in the city of Recife, Brazil, between July of 2020 and June of 2022. Results: The sample comprised 1,921 inpatients, 996 of whom (50.8%) were vaccinated prior to hospitalization. After adjusting the mortality risk for vaccinated patients, those undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) had the highest mortality risk (adjusted OR [aOR] = 7.4; 95% CI, 3.8-14.1; p < 0.001), followed by patients > 80 years of age (aOR = 7.3; 95% CI, 3.4-15.4; p < 0.001), and those needing vasopressors (aOR = 5.6; 95% CI, 2.9-10.9; p < 0.001). After adjusting the mortality risk for all patients, having received three vaccine doses (aOR = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03-0.11; p < 0.001) was the most important protective factor against death. There were progressive benefits of vaccination, reducing the frequency of ICU admissions, use for IMV, and death (respectively, from 44.9%, 39.0% and 39.9% after the first dose to 16.7%, 6.2% and 4.4% after the third dose), as well as significant improvements in survival after each subsequent dose (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Vaccines were effective in reducing illness severity and death in this cohort of COVID-19 inpatients, and the administration of additional doses conferred them with accumulative vaccine protection.

RESUMO Objetivo: Traçar o perfil clínico de pacientes internados com COVID-19 que haviam sido vacinados antes da hospitalização e comparar os fatores de risco para óbito e a taxa de sobrevida em 28 dias entre esses internados vacinados com uma, duas ou três doses e pacientes internados com COVID-19 não vacinados. Métodos: Estudo de coorte observacional retrospectivo envolvendo pacientes com COVID-19 internados em um hospital de referência na cidade do Recife (PE) entre julho de 2020 e junho de 2022. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 1.921 pacientes internados, dos quais 996 (50,8%) haviam sido vacinados antes da hospitalização. Após ajuste do risco de mortalidade para os pacientes vacinados, aqueles submetidos à ventilação mecânica invasiva (VMI) apresentaram o maior risco de mortalidade (OR ajustada [ORa] = 7,4; IC95%: 3,8-14,1; p < 0,001), seguidos pelos pacientes > 80 anos (ORa = 7,3; IC95%: 3,4-15,4; p < 0,001) e aqueles que necessitam de vasopressores (ORa = 5,6; IC95%: 2,9-10,9; p < 0,001). Após ajuste do risco de mortalidade para todos os pacientes, o recebimento de três doses de vacina (ORa = 0,06; IC95%: 0,03-0,11; p < 0,001) foi o fator de proteção mais importante contra o óbito. Houve benefícios progressivos da vacinação, com redução da frequência de internações em UTI, de uso de VMI e de óbitos (de 44,9%, 39,0% e 39,9% após a primeira dose para 16,7%, 6,2% e 4,4% após a terceira dose, respectivamente), bem como melhora significativa na sobrevida após cada dose subsequente (p < 0,001). Conclusões: As vacinas foram efetivas na redução da gravidade da doença e dos óbitos nesta coorte de pacientes internados com COVID-19, e a aplicação de doses adicionais conferiu-lhes proteção vacinal cumulativa.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tertiary care cancer center: Analyzing administrative data.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with cancer need to receive their proper treatment and often cannot wait for their treatment, despite delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many cancer centers have had challenges maintaining their oncological activities. OBJECTIVES: To compare the average hospital management data and indicators in two different periods, with and without the peak of COVID-19 cases, from an important tertiary cancer center in the northeast region of Brazil. METHODS: A retrospective and observational study was performed comparing average hospital administrative data and indicators, between January to March v April to June, 2020 exclusively at the Hospital de Câncer de Pernambuco, Brazil. RESULTS: There were on average a 13% reduction in the chemotherapy administered (P = .131), 17% fewer radiotherapy treatments carried out (P = .043) and 41% as many oncologic surgeries undertaken (P = .002). There was a reduction in the number of sessions of out-patient chemotherapy of 8•6% (P = .271) and chemotherapy inpatients of 33% (P = .038). Admission of new cases of patients with cancer was reduced by 44% (P = .007) during the period analyzed. Ambulatory appointments also decreased by 55% (P = .004) and emergency room appointments fell by 7•9% (P = .495). The number of hospitalizations was reduced by 36% (P = .005) and the occupancy rate decreased by 23•6% (P = .003), while the length of individual hospital stays (in days) increased 10•5% (P = .116). CONCLUSION: We report a reduction in the number of radiotherapy treatments and surgeries performed cancer carried out, ambulatory and emergency appointments, hospitalization and admission of new cases of cancer during peak of COVID-19 in an important public tertiary cancer center in the northeast region of Brazil.

Higher severity and risk of in-hospital mortality for COVID-19 patients with cancer during the year 2020 in Brazil: A countrywide analysis of secondary data.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and cancer are serious public health problems worldwide. However, little is known about the risk factors of in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients with and without cancer in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk factors of in-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients with and without cancer and to compare mortality according to gender and topography during the year 2020 in Brazil. METHODS: This was a secondary data study of hospitalized adult patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 by real-time polymerase chain reaction testing in Brazil. The data were collected from the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance Information System. RESULTS: This study analyzed data from 322,817 patients. The prevalence of cancer in patients with COVID-19 was 2.3%. COVID-19 patients with neurological diseases and cancer had the most lethal comorbidities in both sexes. COVID-19 patients with cancer were more likely to be older (median age, 67 vs 62 years; P < .001), to have a longer hospital stay (13.1 vs 11.5 days; P < .001), to be admitted to the intensive care unit (45.3% vs 39.6%; P < .001), to receive more invasive mechanical ventilation (27.1% vs 21.9%), and to have a higher risk of death (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.83-2.06; P < .001) than those without cancer. Patients with hematological neoplasia (aOR, 2.85; 95% CI, 2.41-3.38; P < .001) had a higher risk of mortality than those with solid tumors (aOR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.72-1.95; P < .001) in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Brazilian COVID-19 patients with cancer have higher disease severity and a higher risk of mortality than those without cancer.

Impact of different patterns of metastasis in non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and median time for the development of metastases and prognosis by metastatic site after the diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients & methods: This cohort study was conducted with 1096 patients diagnosed with NSCLC between 2006 and 2014. Results: The most prevalent site of NSCLC metastases was the respiratory system. The nervous and adrenal systems presented the longest median time for the development of metastases. The 6-month survival varied from 68.2% for liver to 79.9% for the nervous system. Bone metastases were associated with a higher risk of death. Conclusion: The respiratory system was the most prevalent site of metastases. OS and risk of death varied according to the metastatic site.

Brazilian Women With Lung Cancer Have a Higher Overall Survival Than Their Male Equivalents: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the principal cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide; however, there has been controversy as to whether there is a difference in survival rate according to gender in Brazil. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to compare the epidemiologic and clinical profile and the overall survival of patients with lung cancer according to gender. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed involving 1283 patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 2006 and 2014 at a single cancer center. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier statistics. A log-rank test was used to assess differences between survival curves, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to quantitate the relationship between gender and overall survival. RESULTS: Compared with men, women were more frequently younger (P < .001), nonsmokers (P = .007), diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (P < .001), had early stage disease (P < .001), received surgery or surgery in combination with chemotherapy (P < .001), and had a better survival rate (P < .001). The median overall survival rate was higher in women (14.2 vs. 10.5 months in men; P < .001). Cox regression-adjusted analysis shows that women were 16% less likely to die than men (hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.98; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: A higher overall survival rate was found in women with lung cancer as compared with men with lung cancer in Brazil.

Tumor-node-metastasis staging and treatment patterns of 73,167 patients with lung cancer in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical and histological profile, as well as treatment patterns, of patients with early-stage, locally advanced (LA), or advanced/metastatic (AM) lung cancer, diagnosed between 2000 and 2014, in Brazil. METHODS: This was an analytical cross-sectional epidemiological study employing data obtained for the 2000-2014 period from the hospital cancer registries of two institutions in Brazil: the José Alencar Gomes da Silva National Cancer Institute, in the city of Rio de Janeiro; and the São Paulo Cancer Center Foundation, in the city of São Paulo. RESULTS: We reviewed the data related to 73,167 patients with lung cancer. The proportions of patients with early-stage, LA, and AM lung cancer were 13.3%, 33.2%, and 53.4%, respectively. The patients with early-stage lung cancer were older and were most likely to receive a histological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma; the proportion of patients with early-stage lung cancer remained stable throughout the study period. In those with LA lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma predominated, and the proportion of patients with LA lung cancer decreased significantly over the period analyzed. Those with AM lung cancer were younger and were most likely to have adenocarcinoma; the proportion of patients with AM lung cancer increased significantly during the study period. Small cell carcinoma accounted for 9.2% of all cases. In our patient sample, the main treatment modality was chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: It is noteworthy that the frequency of AM lung cancer increased significantly during the study period, whereas that of LA lung cancer decreased significantly and that of early-stage lung cancer remained stable. Cancer treatment patterns, by stage, were in accordance with international guidelines.

Tumor-node-metastasis staging and treatment patterns of 73, 167 patients with lung cancer in Brazil / Estadiamento tumor-nódulo-metástase e padrão de tratamento oncológico de 73. 167 pacientes com câncer de pulmão no Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the clinical and histological profile, as well as treatment patterns, of patients with early-stage, locally advanced (LA), or advanced/metastatic (AM) lung cancer, diagnosed between 2000 and 2014, in Brazil. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional epidemiological study employing data obtained for the 2000-2014 period from the hospital cancer registries of two institutions in Brazil: the José Alencar Gomes da Silva National Cancer Institute, in the city of Rio de Janeiro; and the São Paulo Cancer Center Foundation, in the city of São Paulo. Results: We reviewed the data related to 73,167 patients with lung cancer. The proportions of patients with early-stage, LA, and AM lung cancer were 13.3%, 33.2%, and 53.4%, respectively. The patients with early-stage lung cancer were older and were most likely to receive a histological diagnosis of adenocarcinoma; the proportion of patients with early-stage lung cancer remained stable throughout the study period. In those with LA lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma predominated, and the proportion of patients with LA lung cancer decreased significantly over the period analyzed. Those with AM lung cancer were younger and were most likely to have adenocarcinoma; the proportion of patients with AM lung cancer increased significantly during the study period. Small cell carcinoma accounted for 9.2% of all cases. In our patient sample, the main treatment modality was chemotherapy. Conclusions: It is noteworthy that the frequency of AM lung cancer increased significantly during the study period, whereas that of LA lung cancer decreased significantly and that of early-stage lung cancer remained stable. Cancer treatment patterns, by stage, were in accordance with international guidelines.

RESUMO Objetivo: Caracterizar o perfil clínico e histológico, assim como o de tratamento oncológico, de pacientes com câncer de pulmão nos estádios precoce, localmente avançado (LA) e avançado/metastático (AM), diagnosticados entre 2000 e 2014 no Brasil. Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico transversal analítico com dados brasileiros obtidos de registros hospitalares de câncer do Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva, localizado na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, e da Fundação Oncocentro de São Paulo, localizada na cidade de São Paulo, de 2000-2014. Resultados: Foram avaliados 73.167 pacientes com câncer de pulmão. As proporções de pacientes nos estádios precoce, LA e AM foram de 13,3%, 33,2% e 53,4%, respectivamente. Os pacientes em estádio precoce apresentavam idade mais avançada, adenocarcinoma como tipo histológico predominante e frequência estável ao longo do período do estudo; aqueles em estádio LA apresentaram mais frequentemente carcinoma de células escamosas, havendo uma redução significativa de sua frequência relativa no período do estudo; e aqueles em estádio AM tinham idade menor, predominância de adenocarcinoma, com um significativo aumento da sua frequência no período. O carcinoma de células pequenas correspondeu a 9,2% dos casos. A quimioterapia foi a principal modalidade de tratamento utilizada. Conclusões: A frequência do estádio AM mostrou estar em aumento durante o período de estudo, concomitantemente a uma expressiva redução na frequência do estádio LA e estabilidade do estádio precoce. O padrão de tratamento oncológico esteve em conformidade com as diretrizes internacionais de acordo com o estadiamento.

Increased incidence, morbidity and mortality rates for lung cancer in women in Brazil between 2000 and 2014: An analysis of three types of sources of secondary data.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is the principal cause of death from cancer worldwide. However, little is known of its epidemiological and histological profile and of the incidence and mortality rates in Brazil according to sex. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence, morbidity and mortality rates of lung cancer in Brazil from 2000 to 2014, as well as the epidemiological, clinical and morphological profile of women with lung cancer in Brazil is described. METHODS: An ecological study was conducted using three reliable sources of secondary data: population-based cancer registries, hospital-based cancer registries and the national mortality database. RESULTS: The incidence rate in women increased from 7.92/100,000 in 2000 to 9.12/100,000 in 2012, while mortality increased from 6.02/100,000 in 2000 to 8.29/100,000 in 2014. In men, the incidence decreased from 23.40/100,000 in 2000 to 18.47/100,000 in 2012 and mortality also fell from 16.12/100,000 to 15.11/100,000 in 2014. There was a reduction in the male-to-female ratio from 2.54 in 2000 to 1.46 in 2014. Women tended to be younger (p < 0.001), black (p < 0.001), non-smokers (p < 0.001), to have adenocarcinoma or small-cell lung cancer (p < 0.001), and to have metastatic disease (p < 0.001). In addition, the time between diagnosis and the start of cancer treatment was longer in women (p < 0.001). In relation to treatment, women were more likely to have undergone chemotherapy, surgery or surgery in combination with chemotherapy (p < 0.001) and to have response to the initial treatment (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Incidence, morbidity and mortality rates of lung cancer in women of Brazil increased in the most recent years.

Undertreatment trend in elderly lung cancer patients in Brazil.

PURPOSE: Elderly patients with lung cancer tend to be undertreated in comparison to younger patients. The objective of this study is to compare treatment modalities offered to lung cancer patients from 70 years of age or more with patients under 70. METHODS: For this study, an analytical cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted with data from the Brazilian hospital-based cancer registries between the years 2000 and 2011. In addition, odds ratios (OR) were calculated, with a 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), in conjunction with the construction of a logistic regression model. RESULTS: By analyzing the records of 40,403 patients with lung cancer, we found that overall, patients from 70 years of age or more corresponded to 28.6% of the study population. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological type among patients ≥70 years of age, whereas adenocarcinoma was the more prevalent type among younger patients. In comparison to younger patients, the older ones were treated less often (OR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.52-0.62). Moreover, older patients were less likely to undergo surgery (OR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.64-0.75), radiotherapy (OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.81-0.92), chemotherapy (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.57-0.64), or an association of two or more treatment modalities (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.54-0.62). CONCLUSION: The study finds that Brazilian lung cancer patients ≥70 years of age are often undertreated and higher percentage of early death rates as compared to patients under 70. In regard to treatment, age alone should not determine whether patients with lung cancer are treated or not.

Mudança epidemiológica dos subtipos de histológicos do câncer de pulmão não pequenas células no Brasil / Epidemiological Changes in the Histological Subtypes of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cases in Brazil

Introdução: O câncer de pulmão é a principal causa de morte por câncer no mundo. O perfil clínico e epidemiológico dos pacientes com câncer de pulmão é pouco conhecido no Brasil. Objetivos: Caracterizar o perfil clínico, epidemiológico e histológico dos pacientes com câncer de pulmão células não pequenas no Brasil, entre os anos de 2000 a 2011; Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico transversal analítico dos dados nacionais, a partir dos pacientes cadastrados no Integrador do Sistema de Registro Hospitalar de Câncer do Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva (INCA) e nos Registros Hospitalares de Câncer da Fundação Oncocentro de São Paulo (FOSP), entre os anos de 2000 a 2011. Resultados: Um total de 35.018 pacientes com câncer de pulmão de células não pequenas entre 2000 e 2011 foi analisado. Foi identificado que o adenocarcinoma (43,3%) é o tipo histológico mais frequente e ultrapassou o Carcinoma espinocelular (36,5%) dos pacientes com câncer de pulmão não pequenas células no Brasil, a partir do ano de 2003. Adicionalmente, foi constatado um aumento no número de casos diagnosticados entre as mulheres e com estádio metastático ou avançado no período analisado. Conclusão: Houve mudança no perfil histológico dos pacientes de câncer de pulmão não pequenas células no Brasil entre 2000 a 2011. O adenocarcinoma é, agora, o principal tipo histológico detectado. O número de casos de câncer de pulmão entre as mulheres encontra-se em ascenção. O diagnóstico tardio é ainda uma difícil realidade

Objectives: Regarding the fatality rates stemming from various existing forms of cancers worldwide, lung cancer (LC) is ranked as the main cause of death amongst those who suffer from cancer. Although the epidemiological, clinical, and histological profile of patients with this type of cancer is largely unknown, Brazil has made tremendous efforts to generate data for supporting healthcare policies concerning lung cancer. Taking these factors into account, this study aims to analyse the epidemiological, clinical and histological profiles of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Brazil. Material and Methods: For this study, a cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted to nationally analyse patient’s data within the cancer hospital registries found in the National Cancer Institute (INCA) and the São Paulo Cancer Foundation (FOSP) between 2000 and 2011. Results: A total of 35,018 patients diagnosed with NSCLC in Brazil between 2000 and 2011 were analysed. The analysis demonstrated the occurrence of an epidemiological shift, related to the most prevalent histological type of NSCLC in the study population from 2003. The shift resulted in a higher percentage of adenocarcinoma (43.3%) over squamous cell carcinoma (36.5%). 45. Additionally, there was a significant increase in both the number of cases of LC in women and in the rates of patients diagnosed with metastatic disease. Conclusion: The use of filtered cigarettes since the 60’s and the increase in the number of LC cases in women, were one of the causes for the switch in the histological profile of NSCLC in Brazil. Consequently, adenocarcinoma is now the predominant type of cancer detected. Late diagnosis is a hallmark sign