Karmanos Doctors Urge Increased Screening for Previously Treated Lung Cancer Patients, Especially Young Women

CHICAGO, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Physicians at the Karmanos Cancer Institute today presented the conclusions of their study, Risk of Second Lung Cancer in Patients with Previously Treated Lung Cancer: Analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) Registry at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.

(http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071106/KARMANOSCANCERINSTITUTELOGO)

Karmanos' Praveen Sivakumaran, M.D., along with fellow doctors Shirish Gadgeel, M.D., Ann Schwartz, Ph.D., Fawn Vigneau, JD, MPH, Khairul Islam, Ph.D. and Antoinette Wozniak, M.D., conducted a retrospective analysis of lung cancer patients in the National Cancer Institute's SEER Registry. The SEER Program registries routinely collect data on patient demographics, primary tumor site, tumor morphology and stage at diagnosis, first course of treatment, and follow-up for vital status. The SEER Program is the only comprehensive source of population-based information in the United States that includes stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis and patient survival data.

"Our study showed patients with a history of a previously diagnosed independent primary lung cancer have more than 2.5 times the incidence of developing second lung primary malignancies than the general population," said Dr. Sivakumaran.

Among the approximate 185,600 lung cancer patients found in SEER data from 1973-2001 (with follow-up through 2005), 4,087 went on to develop a second primary lung carcinoma. The vast majority (over 66 percent) of these second primary lung malignancies presented at advanced stages and on average developed in greater than five years. Further examination of the data showed female patients, younger than 50 years old were found to have the highest incidence of developing a second lung cancer compared to the general population.

"Our examination of the data suggests that follow-up screening for second primary lung malignancies should be maintained over time, especially for female patients and those under the age of 50," explains Dr. Sivakumaran. "This is in an effort to detect these malignancies at an earlier, more easily treatable stage.

Abstract No: 8048

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit is one of 41 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Caring for more than 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of $216 million, conducting more than 700 cancer-specific scientific investigation programs and clinical trials, the Karmanos Cancer Institute is among the nation's best cancer centers. Its Phase I Clinical Trials Program is one of only 16 NCI funded programs in the country. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 faculty members, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, the Institute strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D., is the Institute's president and chief executive officer. For more information call 1-800-KARMANOS or go to www.karmanos.org.

American Society of Clinical Oncology

ASCO is the world's leading professional organization representing physicians who care for people with cancer. With more than 25,000 members, ASCO is committed to improving cancer care through scientific meetings, educational programs and peer-reviewed journals. For ASCO information and resources, visit www.asco.org/presscenter.

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Source: The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

CONTACT: Linda Remington, +1-313-576-8614, or cell +1-313-820-1414, or
Patricia A. Ellis, +1-313-576-8629, or cell +1-313-410-3417, both for The
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Web site: http://www.karmanos.org/
http://www.asco.org/presscenter

2008-06-01 15:02:16 0374170 PRNEWSWIRE