Lung Cancer in Smokers and non-Smokers: Is there any Difference in General Characteristics?

Lung cancer occurs usually in smokers, but may occur in non-smoker by various factors. It was evaluated that if general characteristics differ in smoker and non-smoker lung cancer patients or not. Patients diagnosed between 1999-2008 were assessed with gender, age, cigarette smoking, tumor cell type, localization of disease, stage, accompanying diseases, treatment and symptoms. Totally 219 patients, 62 non-smoker and 157 smoker were included in the study. Mean age was higher in non-smoker group. Women and adenocarcinoma were significantly higher in non-smoker group than smoker group. There were not any difference for general tumor cell type (non-small - small cell carcinoma), stage and treatment performed between two groups. Lung cancer was frequently located at intermediate area in smokers and at peripheral area in non-smokers. The frequencies of all symptoms except weight loss were similar, while weight loss was significantly common in smokers. Age, gender, hystopathological subtype and localization of disease differ in smoker and non-smoker lung cancer patients. Stage of disease, treatment performed and most of the symptoms are not different. Weight loss is frequently seen in smokers.